With very little fanfare, Disney Parks has removed the Fourth of July blackout on the Armed Forces Salute tickets from their park websites; allowing Military Members and their families the chance to celebrate Independence Day at Disney Parks while using the special park tickets offered to them. Originally the blockout dates were originally noted on Walt Disney World’s official site. This information was confirmed* by the AFS program staff. What was covered on Walt Disney World’s AFS blockout dates varied by blockout. The 12/20-12/31/14 and 4/13-4/20/14 dates are still noted as “No Theme Park or Water Park Use” are still in place, but the 7/4/14 WAS “No Magic Kingdom Use” has been removed. In Disneyland the blockout covering “No Theme Park Use” on 12/19-12/31/13, 4/13-4/20/14 are still in place, but the blockout for 7/4/14 has been removed.
2014 Armed Forces Salute tickets can be purchased by Eligible Service Members or their Spouse (with DOD ID) at their local base ITT, SoG ticket sales, or the Disney Parks ticket sales booths (tax will be charged). AFS tickets added to My Disney Experience at Walt Disney World must still be presented at a park ticket sales with eligible DOD issued ID to activate the ticket before entering the parks.
October 2014-September 2015 program details have yet to be announced. Historically this information is released sometime in late July or early August. As soon as the new program is announced TMSM will publish it!
Below are the Terms and Conditions for the Armed Forces Salute Program for those who are unfamiliar. Please remember these guidelines are set by Disney Corporate, not TMSM.
General Armed Forces Salutes Program Terms and Conditions for WDW and DL:
- “Eligible Service Members” are active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased at participating U.S. military sales outlets by Eligible Service Members (defined below) or their spouses (but not both), for use by themselves and other family members and friends, as provided herein. These Tickets may not be otherwise transferred, distributed or resold.
- “Eligible Service Members” are active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard.
- The actual prices charged at the individual U.S. military base ticket offices for Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be less than the prices set forth above.
- Participating military sales outlets must require that Eligible Service Members (or their spouses) present valid military identification to purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets.
- No more than six (6) Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased and (if applicable) activated by any Eligible Service Member or spouse (regardless of the place of purchase and whether purchased by that person or that person’s spouse). In addition, one of the six (6) Tickets purchased must be used by the Eligible Service Member or his/her spouse.
- Each Disney Military Promotional Ticket must be used by the same person on any and all days.
Disneyland Armed Forces Salutes Terms and Conditions:
- Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper tickets valid at Disneyland Resort may be purchased at participating U.S. military sales outlets by any eligible U.S. military personnel or their spouse, from September 29, 2013 through September 25, 2014.
- Tickets expire September 27, 2014 and each day of use constitutes one full day of use.
- Tickets are not valid for Magic Morning early entry admission.
Walt Disney World Armed Forces Salute Terms and Conditions:
- Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort are not valid until activated by the Eligible Services Members (or their spouses) at Walt Disney World theme park ticket windows. Tickets and options expire and may not be used after Sept. 27, 2014. Valid military identification will be required for purchase and use.
*A special thanks goes out to Steve at Disney Military Tips for personally confirming this info w/ Disney’s AFS Group.
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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Way to go, Disney! This is exactly what they should do. No blackout dates for military for July 4th, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Christmas or Thanksgiving. Actually, no blackout dates for military at all would be better. After all, they deserve to go to Disney any time they want!