by Military Diva
Thank you for your sacrifice.
Holidays such as Memorial Day, Labor Day and Veteran’s Day remind us to take a moment and honor all service members that have made sacrifices for our country. Memorial Day, however, is a day meant to remember those that have lost their lives in service.
Honor those that have fallen by honoring their families this Memorial Day.
On this Memorial Day I would like to take a moment to remember the military members we have lost. I would also like to remember the families that have been left behind. These individuals still carry the burdens of military service, but now they do it on their own.
I am proud to inform you that the Disney Travel Company, Shades of Green and several other travel suppliers honor these families by including them in their company’s Military Discount programs.
Surviving (un-remarried) spouses of active duty, guard, reserve and coast guard members are eligible for Disney’s Military Discounts and more. Additionally, surviving (un-remarried) spouses of 100% service disabled veterans and retired veterans (served 20 years) are also eligible.
This we’ll defend!
Let’s take a look at the required details and fine print before moving onto the actual discounts.
What identification is required for these discounts?
Simply put, eligible spouses will have a DD Form 1173 Spousal ID. According to www.military.com, there are several categories of individuals that will hold these cards. For our purposes, I am focusing on the following situations…”Surviving dependents of: active-duty and retired military members; Medal of Honor recipients; and 100% Disabled Veterans (DAV)”.
Anchors Aweigh!
How do you obtain this ID card?
- Make an appointment with your local RAPIDS ID office
- Be sure the service member’s death has been updated in the system. (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System)
- Take your original military id (if you have it) and two forms of ID to your appointment. One form of identification must be a government issued photo id (driver’s license, passport, DOD card, etc). If you have it, bring a copy of the servicemembers death certificate and any other correspondence you have received from the military, DEERS, the Department of Defense or VA. (The original military id will expire as of the date of the servicemembers death. Be sure you have an additional form of gov’t photo id.)
Aim High!
What Discounts are Surviving Spouses eligible to receive?
- Disney World-up to (6) Military Promotion tickets and Armed Forces room discounts
- 4-Day Military Promotional Ticket with the Park Hopper Option for $241 plus tax
- 5-Day Military Promotional Ticket with the Park Hopper Option $257 plus tax
- 4-Day Military Promotional Ticket with the Park Hopper Plus Option $291 plus tax
- 5-Day Military Promotional Ticket with the Park Hopper Plus Option $307 plus tax
- Room discounts and availability vary
- Disneyland-up to (6) Military Promotion tickets and Armed Forces room discounts
- 3-Day Military Promotional Ticket with Park Hopper for $178 plus tax
- 4-Day Military Promotional Ticket with Park Hopper for $198 plus tax
- Room discounts and availability vary
Semper Fi
- Shades of Green on Walt Disney World
- Un-remarried surviving spouses are eligible to stay at Shades of Green under Category 2 rate (Approximately $154 per night)
- Survivor’s Family Program offers families that have lost their Active Duty Sponsor, regardless of cause of death, 50% off current room rates
- Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina
- Offers vary by season and eligibility
- Current offer is for 35% off select rooms, length of stay requirements apply
- Disney Cruise Line
- Specially discounted cabins are available for Active Duty, Retired, Activated Guard/Reserve members and spouses. This offer extends to surviving spouses of these categories.
- Universal Orlando-tickets and package discounts
- 2-Park 4-Day Park to Park tickets for $200.50 per adult, $195.50 per child
- 3-Park 4-Day Park to Park tickets for $240.75 per adult, $235.75 per child
- Exclusive military vacation package including a 3-night hotel stay and 3 Park 4-Day, Park to Park tickets and more. Offers start at $105 per person per night (based on four guests per room)
Born Ready!
Saying thank you with a discount
While the companies listed above cannot change the circumstances surrounding the lives of surviving military families, they can honor their service with a small thank you. There is no dollar amount that can ever replace the lost family member. But maybe the opportunity to take a vacation can replace a lost smile or mend a cracked heart.
Help the Disney Travel Company, Shades of Green and other companies honor the families of Fallen Soldiers this Memorial Day
On this Memorial Day, I ask that you join the Disney Travel Company, Universal Orlando, Shades of Green and many other organizations across the country in honoring our fallen soldiers and their surviving families. Let’s make it a day where we attempt to replace the lost smiles in our own communities…show up and mow their lawn (without asking), deliver a gallon of ice cream or just take a moment to check in. These small gestures are the ones that will truly make a difference.
I hope you all have a Blessed Memorial Day and remember we are free to enjoy the day because of the sacrifices of so many.
*Military Diva is the owner at All for Dream Travel, the sponsored travel agency of Tips from the Disney Diva. As a military spouse and travel agent, I have a great understanding of your lifestyle and how travel plans are impacted by military life. I am happy to offer tips and complimentary services to members of the military and their families. Contact me here for a free quote!
There are some children of fallen soldiers whose parents were divorced at time of death. These children should still be able to get this discount. It is kinda unfair to leave them out of it.
Ms. Gower, thank you for the response.
The situation you mentioned is certainly a sad case with a lot of gray area (publicly). If this is your situation, I am so sorry. You may obtain additional information concerning survivor benefits after a divorce here…https://www.military.com/spouse/military-benefits/questions-benefits-getting-divorced-what-military-benefits-kids.html.
Additionally, children under 21 yrs of age should be able to retain a dependent ID card and possible qualify for the discounts. A phone call would need to be placed to Disney and/or Shades of Green concerning tickets. It does appear that the children and family would qualify, while minors, for Shades of Green’s Survivor Family Package. https://www.shadesofgreen.org/accommodations/eligibility (scroll down to Survivor Family Package Eligibility).
Feel free to email me at all4reams@gatewaytomagictravel.com if you would like any additional help. I am happy to make a few phone calls on your behalf. *Military Diva (Patricia Payne)