Disney has just released new Military Discounts for both rooms and tickets. Once again, this is a great opportunity for those of us with a military member in our family to take advantage of this deal and head to Disney. I price these trips day in and day out and I pride myself on giving people the options that will provide them the best possible value. This, of course, is different for each family. A question we get a lot from our clients is “Isn’t it less expensive to stay at the military resort, Shades of Green?” There are a lot of factors that go into answering this question, and because we look at each family individually, we often find a different answer based on their individual needs.
The Walt Disney World Military resort discount
Offer Details*
•Deluxe and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts – 40% resort discount
•Moderate Resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Cabins – 35% resort discount
•Value Resorts – 30% resort discount
•Disney’s Fort Wilderness campsites excluded
Eligible Military Branches
•Active Duty and Retired with ID
•Army •Air Force •Navy •Marines •Coast Guard •National Guard
*Blackout dates of 11/24-11/26/10, 12/26-12/31/10, 4/17/10-4/20/11 apply. All discounts are subject to availability, certain restrictions apply.
A valid Active Duty / Spouse US Military ID will be required at resort check-in to receive the discount.
The Quick Service Dining Plan, Disney Dining Plan, or Disney Deluxe Dining Plan can also be added to make this a complete package.
•The great thing about this offer is it can be combined with the dining plan. (This cannot be done if you are staying at Shades of Green.) We have a breakdown of savings for the dining plan below. Bottom line: the dining plan is not a necessity, but if you will be eating on property, it is a great option.
•Another perk with the military discount is transportation is complimentary to and from the airport. This is not the case with Shades of Green. If you are staying there, add another cost (typically $120) for transportation. If you are driving in, Shades also charges for parking, whereas Disney does not.
Don’t get me wrong, Shades of Green can be a great option and I have stayed there several times. But when Disney is offering a 40% discount on a Deluxe and 35% on a moderate, this is the time to take advantage of these prices. Stay at Shades of Green when discounts like this are not available. *There is one exception to this. If you are an annual pass holder, there are higher discounts than the military rate during some seasons of the year. For example, some deluxe properties are offering discounts of 45% vs. 40%. This is a numbers game where someone who knows Disney inside and out needs to run the numbers to make sure you are looking at all your options accurately. In some cases, the difference may mean a savings of $100’s of dollars.
The Walt Disney World Military Ticket discount
(Disney offers a regular military discount 365 days a year; however, this special discount (‘Salute’ to military members) is even better!)*
Offer Details*
Disney World
Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper Option for $138 each
Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Water Parks Fun and More Option for $138 each, AND
Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper and Water Parks Fun and More Options for $165 each
From October 25, 2010 through Sept. 28, 2011 active and retired U.S. military personnel (including National Guard and Reservists) or their spouses can purchase.
Disney Land in Anaheim California
Offer Dates – 3 October 2010 – 1 October 2011
Resort Discounts – 40% off Deluxe Resorts, 35% off Moderates and Fort Wilderness Cabins, and 30% off Value Resorts
With room Blackout dates of 24-26 November and 26-31 December 2010, as well as 17-30 April 2011
*Call us for offer details or visit our website at http://www.themouseexperts.com/
This new discount is a great deal if you are staying for four days, or even up to five days. For five days, you can use the four day hopper and add a one day base ticket to make the total $223 per adult and $214 per child. However, for longer stays, the regular military discounted ticket is a better deal. A ‘Salute’ ticket at $138 plus a two day base ticket would be $306 total, whereas a six day hopper ticket with the regular military discount is only $291. (A child’s would be $289 vs. $267).
So with anything above five days in tickets, you are better off buying the regular military discounted hopper tickets. And if you buy base tickets instead of hoppers, you will save even more! You can still take advantage of the military discounted rooms plus dining. Confused yet? We help all our clients who book their rooms and dining packages figure out the best tickets to purchase.
Dining Plan
Here is an example of three days on the dining plan and what you would pay out of pocket versus what you would save.
The examples below demonstrate the potential savings for a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children ages 9 and under on the standard plan, but it will give you a general idea. Please note that Disney’s restaurant pricing can change at any time and gratuities are not included in the dining plan.
Day 1
Breakfast – Crystal Palace
Uses 1 Table service credit per person
Adult #1 – Buffet 18.99
Adult #2 – Buffet 18.99
Child #1 – Child’s Buffet 10.99
Child #2 – Child’s Buffet 10.99
Meal Total with tax: $63.86
Snack – Aloha Isle
Uses 1 Snack credit per person
Adult #1 – Pineapple Float (3.99)
Child #1 – Pineapple Float (3.99)
Snack – Ice Cream Cart
Adult #2 – Mickey Bar (2.75)
Child #2 – Mickey Bar (2.75)
Snack Total with tax: $14.36
Dinner – Sunshine Seasons
Uses 1 Counter Service credit per person
Adult #1 – Seared Tuna on Mixed Greens (9.29) Choc. Mousse Cake (3.99) iced tea (1.99)
Adult #2 – Turkey and Monterey on focaccia (8.59) Key Lime Pie ($3.79) drink (2.19)
Child #1 – Kid’s Sweet and Sour Chicken meal (6.49)
Child #2 – Kid’s Make your own mini sub meal (6.49)
Meal Total with tax: $45.60
Day 1 Totals
Total meal cost if paid out of pocket: $123.82
Total paid if using Disney’s Dining Plan: $101.96
Total saved by using Disney’s Dining Plan: $21.86
Day 2
Breakfast – Contempo Café
Uses 1 Snack credit per person
Adult Guest #1- Chocolate croissant (2.79)
Adult Guest #2- Muffin (2.59)
Child Guest #3- Bagel w/ cream cheese (2.29)
Child Guest #4- Chocolate Croissant (2.79)
Meal Total with tax: $11.14
Lunch – ABC Commissary
Uses 1 Quick Service credit per person
Adult Guest #1- Asian salad (6.69) Strawberry Parfait dessert (3.59) drink (2.19)
Adult Guest #2- Chicken Bleu (8.89) Choc mousse (3.59) iced tea (1.89)
Child Guest #3- Kid’s Ham and Cheese wrap meal (4.99)
Child Guest #4- Kid’s Chicken nugget meal (4.99)
Meal Total with tax: $39.21
Dinner – Boma
Uses 1 Table Service credit per person
Adult #1 –Adult Buffet (28.99)
Adult #2 –Adult Buffet (28.99)
Child #1-Child’s Buffet (13.99)
Child #2 –Child’s Buffet (13.99)
Meal Total with tax: $91.55
Day 2 Totals
Total meals cost if paid out of pocket: $141.90
Total paid for using Disney’s Dining Plan: $101.96
Total saved by using Disney’s Dining Plan: $39.94
Day 3
Breakfast – in room or quick bite at the resort or Theme Park paid for out of pocket
Lunch – Flametree Barbecue
Adult #1 – Pork Sandwich (8.49) Key Lime Pie (3.59) Iced Tea (1.89)
Adult #2 – Smoke half chicken (9.49) Key Lime Pie (3.59) Coke(2.19)
Child #1 – Hot dog meal (4.99)
Child #2 – Baked chicken drumstick meal (4.99)
Meal Total with tax: $41.77
Snack
Adult#1 – Choc milkshake (3.99)
Child #1 – Choc milkshake (3.99)
Adult #2 – Yogurt parfait (3.79)
Child #2 – 2 breadsticks with marinara (2.39)
Snack Total with tax: 14.16
Dinner – Teppan Edo
Adult #1 – Filet mignon (29.95) chocolate ginger cake (5.50)
Adult #2 – Steak and Shrimp (29.95) chocolate cake (5.50)
Child #1 – Kids Chicken meal (12) soft serve ice cream (4.50)
Child#2 – Kids Shrimp meal (12.50) soft serve ice cream (4.50)
Meals Total with tax: $111.19
Day 3 Totals
Total meals cost if paid out of pocket: $167.12
Total paid for using Disney’s Dining Plan: $101.96
Total saved by using Disney’s Dining Plan: $65.16
For three days, the overall savings if using the dining plan would be $126.28
If you did none of the desserts in the meals, you would still save $82.09
As you can see, there is a benefit to using the Disney Dining Plan; however, since every family is different, let us help you decide if it is best for your family. Call us and let us wade through all of the details and find the best option for rooms and park tickets your family.
Discover the magic of Walt Disney World® Resorts and parks on a Walt Disney World® Family vacation, and share the joy of Mickey Mouse and company with your kids. Let The Mouse Experts plan the perfect Disney trip for you and your loved ones. Contact us today at 1-877-80MOUSE. We look forward to sending you on the magical vacation of a lifetime.
Theme Park Ticket Discounts – Up to six three-Day Park Hopper Tickets for $99.00.
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One Response to “New military specials for rooms and tickets. Are they right for you?”
Great information! We could use the discounts these days.
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