Reservists buying Military Tickets

[jeankeri]

So, the first time you use your ticket you do a finger scan at the turnstile? Or, do they match your ticket to a finger scan you did when you purchase? Thanks for the info-

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I just wanted to say that my BIL is in Iraq with his army reserve unit, and every time he calls home he mentions to SIL that he wants to take her and their 3 daughters to WDW as soon as he gets home. He is really looking forward to it and I am so glad WDW is doing this for him and others like him.
Robin M.

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by jeankeri
So, the first time you use your ticket you do a finger scan at the turnstile? Or, do they match your ticket to a finger scan you did when you purchase? Thanks for the info-

At the turnstile.

 

[jeankeri]

Rock'nRobin- I'll be having good thoughts for your SIL! My DH came home in June from being activated- the Disney Salute is helping to make our family trip that much more special. I hope your neices have their dad back with them when they go down to WDW!!!

 

[AirForceRocks]

Originally posted by 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!

Someone on the DIS, I think it was BibbidiBobbidiBoo, got the same response via e-mail, i.e., if the person was activated for even one day during the specified time period, that person would be eligible for the tickets. That would seem to me to mean that active Guards/Reserves are also eligible for the ticket deal. Aren't they activated for their annual 2 week stint?

 

[swatts1]

I would love to hear from others who have bought their 5 tickets. I have 2 daughters who go to different colleges. They are each bringing a friend and are joining me at overlapping times for their fall breaks in Oct. I will be there the entire time and hope to buy all of the tickets at once. The last 2 girls won't be there for the first couple of days, but I can certainly provide names, SS #'s, etc. This will mess me up if I can't either buy all 5 tickets at the same time (without them present) OR buy the 1st 3 and then the other 2 a few days later.

 

[Alice28]

Air Force Rocks-

You think along the same lines as me- their annual training IS being on active duty. My husband got his orders a few weeks ago (he's gone right now on Annual Training as a matter of fact) and he is on active duty- if he walked off the base right now he would be AWOL. If the military wanted to send him to Iraq right now, he would have to go---he's already active and ready with all his stuff right at this moment. Now hopefully that won't happen! He's sitting up in Yakima, WA doing who knows what; he said they're going to simulate a two day war the next couple of day- not my idea of fun!

 

[AirForceRocks]

Thanks Alice28, that's what I thought.

 

[sha_lyn]

The only problem I see with that "theory" is that DH's unit could serve their 2 weeks anytime during the physical yr. Usually they serve in May or June but it can vary.One yr they served the 2 weeks for that physical yr right at the end of it (Nov I believe), after serving the previous yr in July (so there was 15 months bewtween AT's) and then they served their 2 weeks for the next physical yr in Feb (3 months between AT). The following yr was in the summer again (july I believe, so 17 months between AT's). In our case however DH does tend to pull extra days during the yr and also has been treated for an injury while on duty. For each of these he does receive orders (orders are issued for Dr visits on base).
Someone can also delay their 2 weeks (sometimes indefinately) for work or personal reasons. There was one yr that DH did not serve his 2 weeks with his unit because it would have caused a hardship at his work

So anyway, my point is that it is very likely that an active reservist would not have orders/be activated for the time period specified by the Disney ticket special

 

[AirForceRocks]

The period of time for activation was (I believe) Sept of 2002 through December of 2003. That's almost a year. I find it a little hard to believe that most active units wouldn't have done their time during that period. I understand that there are exceptions, but I think they are just that - exceptions, not the rule.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
Someone on the DIS, I think it was BibbidiBobbidiBoo, got the same response via e-mail, i.e., if the person was activated for even one day during the specified time period, that person would be eligible for the tickets. That would seem to me to mean that active Guards/Reserves are also eligible for the ticket deal. Aren't they activated for their annual 2 week stint?

Actually, Reservists and Guardsmen are not activated for their 2-week stint. We are just put on active duty. In the Reserve/Guard world, there is a BIG difference between activation and doing AT. Fortunately for most reservists, Disney does not understand the difference between the two. I too called the information line, and was told that my 2 weeks of AT would be sufficient, and I gave that CM every opportunity to tell me I did not qualify!! So I will take my AT orders with me, and hopefully get a free ticket. If not, DH is active duty, so I can get a discounted one through him!

 

[sha_lyn]

In our experience it really depends on the base. We've hard horrible experiences time managment wise (among other things) with a reserve base. Now that DH's unit has moved to an Active Duty base things run much smoother.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Actually, Reservists and Guardsmen are not activated for their 2-week stint. We are just put on active duty.

What exactly is the difference between being activated and being put on active duty?

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Activation requires direction, days and money from the AD AND a specific reason (Operation Noble Eagle, etc). Activation normally occurs under Title 10 and in the ANG, the governor loses command and control of those troops. Also, activation normally goes hand in hand with some type of mobilization, but not always since we can be activated to sit alert at home station.

Your normal, everyday AT does not require anything special. Those days and dollars are provided every year. And you are on Active Duty under Title 32, and the governor remains in your chain of command.

The reserves are a little bit different because they remain federal no matter what, but I don't know all of their details.

I don't know if I explained it well or not, but I tried!

 

[sha_lyn]

I don't know if I explained it well or not, but I tried!

I'm assuming you're in the Guard Reserves.
I'll ask DH when he gets home to explain the terms/difference for the reserves. I think you're pretty close.

Another thing is that a full time reservist is actually considered a DOD civilian employee for his "day" job. They can and do work right beside active military (or in a reserve base do the same job as active duty) but they are not considered active duty.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Another thing is that a full time reservist is actually considered a DOD civilian employee for his "day" job. They can and do work right beside active military (or in a reserve base do the same job as active duty) but they are not considered active duty.

Perhaps that depends on whether the person is officer or enlisted. A friend of ours just retired after 25 years as a full-time reservist. She spent the entire time at the Pentagon and was considered active duty for all purposes, including retirement.

 

[sha_lyn]

Brenda... I think you are right. I was thinking more of the enlisted members who run the day to day opperations of the unit. etc. I do believe that officers (at least in many positions) are considered full military.

 

[mbethel]

My husband (he's active duty Air Force) and I went to the MK window during the July 4th weekend and had no trouble getting his complimentary ticket as well as 4 friends and family (one for me and three for my family members that were not present) All we had to do was show his ID and provide names and full birthdates for the three not present. The first time we entered the park we had to use the finger scan but didn't have to show our ID's. It was a lot simpler than I thought it would be. The CM we talked to knew exactly what he was doing. I'm excited about going back in August and using the rest of our days!!

 

[swatts1]

Thanks MBethel,
Your story confirms what others have found. I'll make sure that I have the birthdays, names, along with the orders (my husband, a doctor, was activated to a navy hospital).