Everything You Need to Know about Disney Military Tickets
If you're a U.S. military member planning a trip to Walt Disney World, you're in for a treat. Disney offers several discounted ticket options specifically for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families, making it easier to experience the magic without breaking the bank. In this guide, we'll cover the types of tickets available, how to purchase them, and other special discounts Disney offers to those who serve.
Pre-Pandemic release dates were always around September, but year after year it keeps getting further delayed. What's new since the pandemic? Blackout dates!
Once you’re done diving into everything you need to know about militate. Don’t forget to check out our blog Ultimate Guide for Military Families Planning a Disney Vacation
Updated Ticket Military Ticket information for 2025!
Disney is doing something a little different this year, and it’s good news for military families! They are keeping the Disney Military Salute ticket prices the same until February 1, 2025. This means that if you purchase your Military Salute tickets in January, you'll lock in the 2024 prices—even if your trip is planned for later in 2025. And with ticket prices set to increase by $30 after February 1, it's definitely worth jumping on that deal early!
The price hike is significant this year, so if you're planning a Disney trip in 2025, go ahead and buy those tickets in January—they're valid for the whole year. But be mindful of blackout dates: from April 13 to 26, 2025, and November 23 to 29, 2025, you won't be able to use your Military Salute tickets.
Also, don’t forget that advanced theme park reservations are required, so be sure to lock in your park days once you’ve got your tickets.
We always recommend adding the Park Hopper Plus option, which is only $30 more. Not only does it allow you to hop between parks, but it also gives you six additional days of fun! You get access to Disney’s water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, plus extra activities like golfing at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, miniature golf at the resort courses, and even access to ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex. It's a great way to stretch your vacation dollars and squeeze in even more magic!
Who Qualifies:
"Eligible Service Members" are active or retired members of the U.S. Military, including the National Guard, Reservists, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Space Force, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS), and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Spouses of Military Service Members also qualify if they can present valid and active U.S. Military I.D.s in the absence of active or retired Military Personnel or Commissioned Corps Members" - Direct from the Disney Website.
Current Military Members
Retired Military Members
Honorably discharged veterans with 100% Permanent Service-connected disability.
Current and Retired Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps.
Military personnel of foreign nations and their immediate family members, when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation.
Un-remarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status
Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty
Where to Buy Tickets:
Shades of Green – Disney's Military Resort Tickets
Shades of Green, the Armed Forces Recreation Center located on Disney property, offers discounted tickets that can be used throughout the year.
Shades of Green offers everything from 1-day park tickets to longer stays with 7-day or 10-day passes. Prices vary depending on the number of days and the season.
Where to Buy:
You can purchase these tickets directly at the Shades of Green Resort or online through their website if you have your military verification ready.
Or ONLINE!
How To Order Military Tickets From Shades of Green Before You Arrive
1) Download PDF form below and complete
2) Visit webform and attach PDF, submit your order.
Please confirm your eligibility for the various ticket categories before sending in your PDF ticket request.
Military Base Ticket Offices (MWR/ITT)
One of the most convenient places to buy discounted Disney tickets is through your local base's MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) or ITT (Information, Tickets & Travel) office. These offices typically sell Disney's Military Salute Tickets at a discounted rate.
Why Buy Here:
Exclusive Discounts: You’ll get the best deal on Military Salute Tickets, which are significantly discounted compared to regular prices.
No Tax: Tickets purchased through MWR offices are often tax-free, adding to your savings.
How to Buy:
Visit the MWR/ITT office at your military installation, or call ahead to ensure they have the tickets you need. I live in Pennsylvania, and my nearest military base ticket office is about an hour away.
Base Ticket Offices Online
If you’re not near a military base, many MWR offices allow you to order tickets online or over the phone. Some even ship tickets directly to your home.
Why Buy Here:
Ease of Access: No need to visit the base in person.
Quick Shipping: Tickets are often sent within a few business days, making it easy for those planning last-minute trips.
How to Buy:
Contact your nearest base ticket office by phone or visit their website to place an order. The staff makes the process super easy, and after completing the purchase, they email the tickets directly to me. It’s convenient and saves me the trip.
Types of Military Tickets
What Are Disney Military Salute Tickets?
Disney’s Military Salute Tickets offer deeply discounted admission to both Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California for military members and their families. These tickets are a way for Disney to thank the U.S. military community for their service. They are available for a limited time each year and come in 3-day and 4 day at DL and a 4-day, 5-day or 6-day ticket at WDW..
What makes these tickets special is the incredible savings—typically up to 50% off regular park admission prices. They include the option to add Park Hopper, allowing you to visit multiple parks in one day, or Park Hopper Plus, which adds water park access and other non-theme park experiences.
How Many Tickets Can You Purchase?
Eligible service members can purchase up to six Military Salute Tickets per promotional year. These six tickets include the service member’s own ticket. The tickets can be used by the service member and their family or friends.
In some cases, military families with more than six immediate family members can request exceptions. These exceptions are typically handled at the discretion of the ticket sales office at Shades of Green or Disney’s military sales offices.
Here are the prices for Disney's Military Salute:
Every year each service member can receive 6 Disney Military Salute tickets. If you have more direct dependents (Meaning children), you can get additional tickets from your MWR. Tickets are valid until December 19, 2025!
These tickets usually come in 4 - 6 day options:
6-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
Purchase now through January 31, 2025.
With the Park Hopper Option: $409 plus tax
With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $439 plus tax
5-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
Purchase now through January 31, 2025.
With the Park Hopper Option: $389 plus tax
With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $419 plus tax
4-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
Purchase now through January 31, 2025.
With the Park Hopper Option: $369 plus tax
With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $399 plus tax
Tickets DO NOT need to be activated if purchased through Shades of Green.
Ticket Activation:
Disney Military Salute tickets will need to be activated before use IF you do not buy them from Shades of Green! To activate your Disney Military Salute tickets, service members must visit the Ticket Office at Disney Springs or Guest Relations at any theme park. While you're there, don’t forget to activate your Memory Maker! Qualifying military members can enjoy a discounted rate of $99, which allows you to capture all your memories from the PhotoPass photographers throughout the parks. Memory Maker allows you to download all your PhotoPass pictures from around the parks, character meet-and-greets, and on-ride photos.
At Disneyland, you can activate them at any park ticket booth.
The Ticket Office at Disney Springs is conveniently located between the Lime and Orange garages. If you're using Disney transportation, the buses will drop you off right in front of this location.
What Are Magic Your Way Tickets?
Magic Your Way tickets are standard Disney theme park tickets that allow you to tailor your Disney vacation to your needs. You can choose the number of days you wish to visit the parks, and add options like the Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus, which give you flexibility across multiple parks or access to Disney’s water parks and other experiences.
Why Consider Magic Your Way Tickets Over the Military Salute Tickets?
While the Military Salute Tickets are a fantastic value, they are limited to a set number of days (currently 4, 5 or 6 days) and are only available for purchase once per year per member of your family. For military families planning a longer vacation or needing more ticket flexibility, the Magic Your Way option is a great alternative.
Here’s why you might opt for Magic Your Way:
Extended Stay: If your family plans to stay at Disney for more than five days, Magic Your Way allows you to purchase additional days beyond what the Salute tickets offer.
Greater Flexibility: Magic Your Way tickets offer options like 1-day tickets, which are not available with Salute tickets. This can be perfect if you’re visiting for a shorter trip.
Discounted Add-Ons: While Salute tickets don’t allow much customization, Magic Your Way tickets offer add-ons like Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus, letting you build a ticket package that suits your family’s specific needs.
Military Discounts on Magic Your Way Tickets
One of the best things about Magic Your Way tickets is that military families are eligible for discounts. Military members (active duty, retired, and certain reservists) can purchase discounted Magic Your Way tickets at Military Bases through Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) offices or at Shades of Green, the military-exclusive resort located on Disney property.
These discounts may not be as deep as the Military Salute Ticket deals, but they offer more flexibility in terms of ticket types and lengths. Plus you can buy these for anyone in your partyu and it is not limited to immediate family members and there is not a limit on the number of tickets.
What Ticket is Best for Your Family?
Our family visits Walt Disney World several times a year, making the most of long holiday weekends and summer breaks. Because of this, we always opt for the six-day Park Hopper Plus option. Since we visit so frequently, we don’t always spend time at the four main theme parks. Instead, the "Plus" option has given us a newfound love for Disney's water parks.
With the Military Salute tickets, not only do you get six days of park hopping between the theme parks, but you also get six visits to the water parks (or other eligible "Plus" experiences) to use throughout the year. For our family, that essentially means 12 Disney park days—a perfect balance between the theme parks and the water parks.
Plus, it gives my family entrance to the following:
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course
Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course, prior to 4 p.m.
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course, prior to 4 p.m.
YOU STILL NEED A PARK RESERVATION
Even though Disney Military Salute Tickets offer incredible savings, it’s important to remember that you still need to make park reservations before heading to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. Having a ticket alone does not guarantee entry into the parks. You’ll need to link your Military Salute Tickets to your My Disney Experience account (for Walt Disney World) or your Disneyland account, and then reserve the parks you plan to visit on specific days. Park reservations can fill up quickly, especially during busy times like holidays or summer, so it’s a good idea to book your reservations as soon as possible to ensure access to your desired parks.
Important Tips for Purchasing Disney Military Tickets
Before purchasing, keep these things in mind:
Eligibility: Make sure you’re eligible for the type of ticket you’re purchasing (Military Salute Tickets, for example, have specific requirements).
ID Requirements: You’ll need to show a valid military ID to purchase and activate tickets at the park entrance.
Blackout Dates: Military Salute Tickets may have blackout dates, so be sure to check the fine print for your travel dates.
Disney’s commitment to honoring U.S. military members is evident through its generous ticket discounts and resort offerings. Whether you’re looking for multi-day park tickets, exclusive photo packages, or a budget-friendly resort stay, these military discounts make it possible for service members and their families to experience the magic of Walt Disney World without overspending. Before you go, be sure to check blackout dates, buy tickets through the appropriate channels, and don’t forget to grab those discounted Memory Maker photos!
More Disney Ticket Discounts
In addition to offering discounted Military Salute Tickets, Shades of Green—the military-exclusive resort at Walt Disney World—provides several other ticket discounts that can help military families make the most of their Disney vacation. For those who plan to visit Walt Disney World multiple times throughout the year, Shades of Green offers discounts on annual passes, including the popular Disney Incredi-Pass. This is a great option for frequent visitors who want unlimited access to all four parks without worrying about blockout dates. By purchasing your annual pass through Shades of Green’s Ticket Sales Office, you can save significantly compared to regular prices and avoid paying additional taxes.
Shades of Green also offers discounted tickets for Disney’s After Hours events and seasonal holiday parties, such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. These special events allow guests to enjoy the parks with lower crowds, exclusive entertainment, and unique character meet-and-greets. Tickets for these events can sell out fast, but military families can take advantage of the discounted pricing at Shades of Green to enjoy these magical experiences at a lower cost. Whether you're looking to visit the parks after dark with limited guests or celebrate the holidays in true Disney style, Shades of Green ensures you can experience it all while staying within your budget.
For more tips on planning your Disney vacation as a military family, check out my full guide [here]!
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