Disney Reveals Controversial Change to 2023 Military Tickets

It seems lately that price rises at Disney are as frequent and often as the thrilling drops of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Walt Disney World has announced that its Park tickets are set to climb in price and will vary based on the Park and which day Guests plan to visit. Single-day, one-Park tickets will now have Park-specific pricing, starting on December 8, 2022. And to add more confusion to the mix, Annual Passes are also increasing in price, though new Annual Passholders are not being accepted at this time.

There’s good news for Military families, though, because the Walt Disney World Resort has just released pricing and details for its 2023 Military Salute tickets – with one major change.

Walt Disney World in Central Florida has always been a destination to escape reality – and for military families, a Disney vacation can bring relief after deployments, separation, and hardship.

As a military family ourselves, we know firsthand the struggles and sacrifices made by our U.S. Armed Forces – and so does Disney. Eligible active and retired U.S. military personnel can enjoy exclusive rates at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels as well as the beloved Disney Military Salute Tickets for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

These special rates allow military families an affordable escape to the magic of Disney to meet Mickey Mouse, experience its array of attractions like the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and immerse themselves in entertainment like the recently returned Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.

And now, we finally know the pricing for 2023. The Lake Buena Vista Resort offers 4 and 5-Day Military Salute Tickets, available to purchase at U.S. Military Bases, Shades of Green, and Walt Disney World Resort theme park windows. The prices for the Military Salute Tickets for 2023 have been revealed as:

5-Day Disney Military Salute Tickets

• With the Park Hopper Option: $369 plus tax
• With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $379 plus tax

4-Day Disney Military Salute Tickets

• With the Park Hopper Option: $349 plus tax
• With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $379 plus tax

Eligible Guests can purchase these discount Disney tickets now through December 11 2023 and receive admission for 4 or 5 days, valid for visits from January 1, 2023 through December 15, 2023.

Both a theme park reservation via the Disney Park Pass system and a valid theme park ticket for the same Park on the same date are required for each Guest ages 3 and up. Military members can also purchase the Memory Maker product for a special price of $98 through December 15, 2023.

All Military Salute Ticket options have increased by $20 from 2022 pricing and also include a controversial change – one that Military Guests have never had to deal with before now. These exclusive military tickets now have blackout dates:

• April 2, 2023, through April 15, 2023
• November 19, 2023, through November 25, 2023.

Before 2023, the Armed Forces Salute tickets could be used all year round with no blackout dates. Whether it be Christmas, Thanksgiving, July 4th weekend, or other busy periods at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, U.S. military personnel and their families were welcome anytime.

This special discounted Disney Parks offer is for active or retired U.S. military personnel only, including active or retired members of 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 are able to present valid and active U.S. Military IDs in the absence of active or retired Military Personnel or Commissioned Corps Members.

Another benefit offered to military members is the Shades of Green Resort hotel located on Walt Disney World property at Lake Buena Vista. The Military Hotel is owned and operated by the Department of Defense, and has a unique price structure. Shades of Green has just three room rate categories, which are based on the military member’s pay grade.

Shades of Green’s hotel rates are constant year-round, with members of the United States Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army, and other military units all getting to enjoy fair prices based on their income and rank.

Disney will be offering members of the military discounted rates at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for stays most nights from January 1, 2023, through December 15, 2023, when booked by December 15, 2023. The length of stay is from 1 night (minimum) to 14 nights (maximum).

The number of rooms for this promotional offer is limited, and a valid Military I.D. must be presented upon check-in and the military member or their spouse must stay in the hotel room. This military discount excludes The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

The discount also excludes the following room types: 3-bedroom villas and suites in Moderate and Deluxe Resort hotels, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.