It’s easy to be overwhelmed planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation, especially on a budget. Many resources promise discount Disney tickets or cheap hotel rooms. A good place to start research is with the official Disney website. It provides information on admission prices, resort rates, and packages. The site also promotes Disney’s special offers open to the general public, subject to availability and date restrictions.
Beyond Disney’s general-public options, the following groups offer discounts to their members. Common discounts include single- and multi-day tickets and annual passes. Members of these organizations may also be eligible for special offers on resorts, vacation packages, or Disney cruise deals.
American Automobile Association (AAA) and Canadian Automobile Association (CAA)
AAA/CAA offers discounts on multi-day tickets purchased at participating offices. Discounts vary by region, and are not available in all regions. Guests purchasing multi-day tickets through AAA/CAA will receive AAA Diamond parking vouchers, which permits parking in special spaces at the four major parks. AAA/CAA also books Disney packages.
For more information, see related Suite101 article, AAA Walt Disney World Travel Discounts
Disney Annual Passholders
Annual passes offer substantial savings for guests planning to visit for more than 10 days during a one-year period. Passholders are eligible for special offers on resort room and discounts on dining. Annual pass benefits include discounts on merchandise, tours, spa treatments, and golf outings. These passes include free parking at the theme parks.
Disney Rewards Visa Cardholders
Chase’s no-fee credit card earns “Disney Dream Reward Dollars” amounting to 1% or more on consumer purchases. While cardholders don’t receive discounts on admission, they do receive special promotions on packages, resorts and dining that aren’t available to the general public. Card benefits include discounts on merchandise and tours and onboard credits on Disney cruises.
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Members
The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is Disney’s timeshare program, with properties at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island. DVC owners and members of their immediate household are eligible for discounts on annual passes.
Employees of Disney’s Corporate Sponsors and Partners
Corporate sponsors of major Disney World attractions and other companies with long-term contracts with Disney may have an agreement with Disney that gives their employees discounts, accesses to private lounges, front-of-the-line passes and other privileges. Employees should contact their Human Resources department to see if the institution participates and for details.
Florida Residents
Florida residents are eligible for discounts on single-day and multi-day tickets. Residents also enjoy several annual pass options at different price points, some with blockout dates. They may receive special offers on packages, resorts, and cruises. Residents must show proof of residency, such as a valid Florida driver's license or state ID card, to qualify for the discounts.
For more information, see related Suite101 article, Walt Disney World's Florida Weekday Annual Pass
Members of the Military, Department of Defense and Civil Service
Active duty, Reserve, National Guard, Retired, and Department of Defense (DOD) employees are eligible. Discounts include tickets, room-only reservations at Disney resorts, vacation packages, and cruises. Civil-service employees should contact their personnel office to determine if their department is eligible.
Military personnel may stay at Shades of Green, an Armed Forces Recreation Center located on Disney property that provides low-cost accommodations to the U.S. Armed Forces community. Some family members and DOD employees are also eligible. Room rates are based on pay grade and party size. Upon check-in, a valid military or DOD ID and current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) is required for verification.
For current military discounts, see these related Suite101 articles, 2010 – 2011 Military Discounts for Walt Disney World Resorts and Discount Disney World Tickets for Active Military Personnel. To read a recent offer for historical content and to aid in Disney vacation planning, see 2010 Military Discounts for Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resorts Welcome Teachers, Nurses, and Government Employees
The Swan and Dolphin are official Disney resorts operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts. They offer special room rates, subject to limited availability, to military personnel, some U.S. government employees, nurses, and teachers/education support staff. Disney annual passholders, AAA/AARP members, and Entertainment Book members are also eligible. Identification is required at check-in for verification.
Be aware that details on discount programs and special offers frequently change, as do their availability and some eligibility requirements. Consult the appropriate group or organization for current information, prices and any additional benefits or restrictions.
There are many Walt Disney World Resort discounts available. Taking advantage of a group membership is one convenient way to score a Disney deal. With a little advance research, Disney World travel planners can often find the discount that works best with their vacation plans.
Debra Peterson - A freelance writer and scholar, Debra Peterson specializes in Disney Studies, with particular interests in Walt Disney World and ...
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