Disney, Army Resort Make Vacations More Affordable for Troops

American Forces Press Service | William Bradner

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2009 – A Disney vacation just got more affordable.

Naval officers Lt. James Corbett and Lt. Cmdr. Erin Duffy take a whirl on Cinderella's Golden Carrousel with daughters Maggie, left, 5, and Aoife, 8 months, and son Dessie, 2. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Co.  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

With the “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer, active and retired U.S. military personnel, including active members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reserves, can enjoy complimentary, multi-day admission into Disney’s U.S. theme parks, and additional special ticket offers for family members and friends.

“For so many of the men and women who serve in our U.S. military, time together with their families is cause enough for celebration,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We are grateful for their service and hope ‘Disney’s Armed Forces Salute’ will allow our troops to create wonderful, magical memories with their family and friends.”

Shades of Green, a resort hotel on Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., is open exclusively to servicemembers, retirees, defense civilians, and their families. It is a safe haven for military families whether they’re reintegrating after an overseas deployment, having one last “family fling” before mom or dad deploys, or simply getting away for a weekend.

“If I suddenly break down and cry in a Holiday Inn, everyone’s going to be looking at me funny,” one guest recently explained. “Here, if it suddenly dawns on me he’s leaving in a week and I start to cry, I’ve got 10 people asking how they can help and offering support.”

The resort manager, Brian Japak, is a retired soldier, and his son has survived two roadside-bomb attacks while serving in Iraq.

“I have great empathy for the families that we serve here,” he said.

Japak said the staff makes every effort to ensure the guests are pampered Disney style -- with just a touch of “home” through the tax-free Army and Air Force Exchange Service shoppette and a Mickey Mouse statue decked out in red, white and blue. Security at the hotel complies with standard base force protection regulations, ensuring the soldiers and families can sleep soundly and not worry about their personal safety.

Shades of Green is an Armed Forces Recreation Center hotel run by the Army’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command based in Alexandria, Va. The command’s mission is to provide soldiers and their families with the same quality of life they are sworn to protect. Rates are set on a sliding scale, based on rank, and with no shareholders to answer to or profits to be made, the rates are kept remarkably low.

At the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, from Jan. 4 to Dec. 23, each active or retired member of the U.S. military may obtain one free five-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket with “Park Hopper” and water park options. The ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions.

During this offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel also may make a one-time purchase up to five "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets – good for five days -- for $99 each, plus tax, for family members or friends. Although this ticket for family members and friends does not include either the Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More options, it can be upgraded to add either such option, or both, for an additional $25, plus tax, per option. All tickets and options are nontransferable and must be used by Dec. 23.

A similar offer is in place at Walt Disney Land in California. More information is available at installation ITT/ITR offices.

AFRCs offer four other world-class destinations for families, including Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany; Dragon Hill Lodge in Seoul, South Korea; the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu, and the Cape Henry Inn and Beach Club at Fort Storey, Va.

(William Bradner works at the Army’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command’s public affairs office.)

Related Sites:
Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command

[SandRat]

“If I suddenly break down and cry in a Holiday Inn, everyone’s going to be looking at me funny,” one guest recently explained. “Here, if it suddenly dawns on me he’s leaving in a week and I start to cry, I’ve got 10 people asking how they can help and offering support.”

[Old Sarge]

I HEARTILY RECOMMEND SHADES OF GREEN!

The Home Detachment stayed there for my mid-tour leave in Jan ‘06. The staff went out of their way to accomodate the family when I got hung up in Kuwait in the pipeline coming back - extended our stay and everything.

There is an AAFES location inside the hotel, where I was able to get new civvies. All manner of troop support is available.

If you get the chance, GO!

[manc]

every vet serving or time served including the British who have been are best allies in all of this should get discounts for Disney, theme parks, movie theaters , travel and hotels etc

[USMCWife6869]

We are considering this for our “welcome home” vacation when dh gets back from Afghanistan. It’s nice to hear from others who have been there.

[manc]

to add their kids should have priority for schools and colleges not this affirmative action crap which is racist plus getting special handouts and admissions based on nothing but color

[proudmilitarymrs]

You absolutely cannot go wrong with Shades of Green. The hotel is spectacular, the food is great and the staff is out of this world!!!

This mrs can’t say enough good things about it!!

mrs

[PERKY2004]

I think it's a great offer, but we don't like amusement parks. Instead, we went to the Hale Koa in Hawaii when my DH returned from his 5th deployment to Iraq.

[ops33]

A minor point, its Fort Story, not Fort Storey. When I was a kid my father was stationed there, great place. My wife and I plan to stay at the Cape Henry Inn some time in the future. Unfortunately, these resorts are so popular that a person often has to make their reservations 1 year in advance.

[silverleaf]

http://www.mousemisers.com/2009/disney-world-armed-forces-salute-ticket/

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Dh and I have just decided to take the kids to Orlando for spring break to do Disney and Sea World. Do you or any FReepers know any great travel agents who can help us get this scheduled? Dh is currently on active duty and we’d like to get as many discounts as we can - not necessarily for military, but any specials currently running. The military 5 day and companion ticket thing is a great deal! We bought them about 5 years ago when we lived in FL.

Thanks to all.

[silverleaf]

Call Disney Resorts directly- then call AAA and compare what they offer you.

I cannot recommend highly enough that you stay at a Disney property and use the shuttle service to get everywhere.

If you book AT a Disney Resort they even have “Magic Express” to pick you and your luggage up at the airport (deliver your luggage all the way to your room) and then take you back to the airport. It is wonderful and saves a BUNDLE and a hassle on not needing a rental car!

Unfortunately, Shades of Green does not have Magic Express service. But we loved the Pop Century (value resort) - great food court for meals, great price, considering the airport shuttle service. We went over to Shades of Green for our tickets, snacks to take to the park, and souvenirs but it is not that easy to get to - got to get a shuttle to the DisneyWorld central transport hub, then a shuttle to Shades.

We saved a bundle on food by all carrying water bottles, powdered koolaid and ice tea mix, and carrying jerky, granola bars, candy and gum. All we bought in the parks was fresh fruit, some popcorn and ice cream and they gave us cups of ice. Take some cheap ponchos with you, too, for rain. And take some bandaids and moleskin for blisters ! :-)

Unfortunately Sea World/Universal is way across town, so you might need a one day car rental to get over there and back- you can do a one day car rental on Disney (or check out the price of shuttle bus to Sea World, which departs from Shades of Green...I thought it was pretty high.

Check out Deb's allears site
http://allears.net/index.html
- it is a very informative site with lots of cues on deals and bargains, attraction schedules, changes going on at the parks, and traveler comments about the resorts, restaurants, rides and attractions.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Great tips! Thanks!!