Its official! Disney has renewed its widely popular Armed Forces Salute offer for the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort for 2020! As a member of the military myself, the Armed Forces Salute offer is an excellent way to visit both US resorts at a much more affordable price. Disney’s Armed Forces Salute includes savings of more than 50% on theme park tickets and savings up to 40% on hotel rooms, including Club Level rooms. I’ll explain below the details of this offer.
What is Disney’s Armed Forces Salute?
The Armed Forces Salute is a special (and temporary) offer on such things like theme park tickets and hotel rooms for US service members visiting the US Disney parks. It first started in 2009 and has been renewed each year. Based on my research, Disney renews the offer at the end of September before the next calendar year. For calendar year 2020, the offer runs from January 1, 2020 to December 18, 2020.
Who is eligible for the Armed Force Forces Salute offer?
The following is a list of eligible military members:
- Active Duty
- Reserve
- National Guard
- Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service
- Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Additionally, retirees, 100% service-connected disabled members, spouses (in place of the member), unremarried widows and foreign partners with a CAC are eligible. DOD contractors and civilians are NOT eligible for this discount.
How much are the tickets for 2020?
For 2020, the prices are as follows:
- Walt Disney World:
- Four-Day Park Hopper Tickets: $265.00
- Four-Day Park Hopper Plus Tickets: $315.00
- Five-Day Park Hopper Tickets: $283.00
- Five-Day Park Hopper Plus Tickets: $333.00
- Six-Day Park Hopper Tickets: $301.00
- Six-Day Park Hopper Plus Tickets: $351.00
- Disneyland:
- Three-Day Park Hopper Tickets: $184.00
- Four-Day Park Hopper Tickets: $204.00
At Walt Disney World, the park hopper tickets can be used to visit any of the four theme parks. As a park hopper, if you start your day in one park, you can finish in another. The plus option allows for visits to the following:
- Typhoon Lagoon (water park)
- Blizzard Beach (water park)
- General Admission into the Wide World of Sports Complex
- 9 Holes of golf at Disney’s Oak Trail
- One round of golf per day before 4pm at Disney’s Fantasia Gardens or Disney’s Winter Summerland miniature golf courses
At Disneyland, the tickets are valid to visit both Disneyland Park and California Adventure with the ability to visit both parks during a day included.
Lastly, only SIX tickets can be purchased during the year. Disney does make exceptions for larger families but it is on Disney to make that call. One ticket is supposed to be bought for the military member, but if you have an annual pass to one of the resorts, they will waive that requirement. But once all six tickets have been purchased, no more can be bought.
Do the tickets include Blackout Dates?
For the Walt Disney World Resort tickets, there are no blackout dates for 2020. The tickets just must be used by December 18, 2020.
At Disneyland, the only blackout date is April 12, 2020. And like Disney World, the tickets must be used by December 18, 2020.
Can Fast Pass be used with these tickets?
The answer is Yes! Fast Pass is included with these tickets, but it works differently at each resort.
For Walt Disney World, the tickets can be used to book Fast Pass+ attractions in advance of the trip. If staying at a Disney resort and a select few non-Disney resorts, Fast Pass+ selections can be made 60 days before the start of your trip. If not staying at one of these resorts, then selections can be made 30 days out. Additionally, if staying in a Club Level room and paid for the upgrade, Fast Pass+ selections can be made 90 days in advance.
Once the tickets have been purchased, upload the barcode on the back like any normal ticket to My Disney Experience. Once uploaded, the tickets can be made to pick Fast Passes at the appropriate window.
Once at Disney World, you must stop by any ticket booth and activate your tickets. The castmember will verify the military member and activate the tickets for entry. The verification is only done once and you are free to use the rest of the tickets without verification.
At Disneyland, the tickets operate like the resort’s standard tickets. Verification takes place at the turnstiles and the military member must be present. Once activated, the tickets become standard 3-Day or 4-Day Park Hopper tickets. For Fast Pass, the member can either walk to the attraction and scan the ticket for a Fast Pass or pay $15/day for Max Pass. Max Pass allows for digital Fast Pass selection on your phone and unlimited PhotoPass downloads.
Can Armed Forces Salute be used for Disney Resort Hotels?
The answer is Yes! At both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the salute offers a great discount on rooms.
For Walt Disney World:
- Up to 40% off at Deluxe Resorts
- Up to 35% off at Moderate Resorts and the Fort Wilderness Cabins
- Up to 30% off at Value Resorts
For Disneyland:
- Up to 40% off at the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
- Up to 35% off at the Disneyland Hotel
- Up to 30% off at the Paradise Pier Hotel
When using this offer, three rooms can be booked at Walt Disney World under one military member and two at Disneyland. The military member must be present at check-in and all members must check in together.
Unlike the tickets, there is no limit to how many times the room discount can be used. However, it is based upon availability and Disney only reserves certain rooms for this discount. I recommend booking ASAP if you know the dates of your trip and to be flexible. Additionally, at Disney World, the room discount is blackout from April 3, 2020 to April 18, 2020. Disneyland does not have any blackout dates for rooms.
What about PhotoPass or Memory Maker?
Yes, Disney does offer a great discount on these photo services. At Disneyland, PhotoPass can be purchased for $49 plus tax. To purchase, head to Main Street Photo Supply Company at Disneyland Park or Kingswell Camera Shop at California Adventure.
For Memory Maker at Disney World, it can be purchased for $98 at any theme park ticket window.
Summary
Disney’s Armed Forces Salute is an excellent offer for servicemembers to save big at both US Disney resorts. Thankfully, Disney renewed the offer for 2020, allowing servicemembers another year of huge savings. Tickets can be purchased at your local base, Shades of Green Resort or at the resort ticket windows (which will include tax). For rooms, they can be reserved by calling the resort or booking with a travel agent.
As always, thanks for reading! If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below! Stella and I have been using this offer for our trips to Disneyland and Disney World and know the system very well. Let us know if you need help with anything!
Photo from Memory Maker:
