Exclusive Military Discounts For Your Next Family Vacation
- September 13, 2024
- Family, Military Life, Travel
ALL PRODUCT LINKS SHARED may be ELIGIBLE FOR A SMALL COMMISSION. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTing DEPARTMENT OF DEPENDENTS
let’s get into military discount vacation destinations
As a military family, military discounts have always been one the best ways for my family and I to get more for less. Whether it’s a night at the movies, or outlet shopping at our favorite retailers, military discounts have always eased the pressure on our wallets. As avid travelers, military discounts have not only allowed us to travel more, but have provided us with affordable upgrades that would have otherwise tightened our budget.
when planning any family vacation, it’s important to determine where you want to go, when you want to travel, and what budget are you most comfortable with. Post pandemic inflation is real, and it’s absolutely altered most of our daily lifestyles (not trying to be political, it’s just fact). Anyway, why spend all the money, when its possible to only spend some, or none?
but before any planning takes place, the absolute first thing you must do is register online at both ID.me and govx.com. once you have been verified on each site, you’ll have access to 1,000s of additional online military discounts. and the best part is, you wont have to continually reconfirm your military status or identity each time you make a new purchase. now that is convenient, and guaranteed to save you money time and time again.
Original post reflects pricing and discounts available from merchants as of September 2024.
All advertised promotions are always subject to change at the merchant’s discretion
military discounts: free attractions
america the beautiful national parks pass
Next, the annual america the beautiful national parks pass is free for military members (an $80 value) and includes entry for (1) private vehicle or (4) persons per day. With over 2,000 federal destinations to chose from, many can be found within close proximity to many military installations.
this freebie has allotted my family and I visits to some of America’s most treasured sites. We’ve seen bison roam at Yellowstone; driven through the fall foliage surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway; hiked the Great Smoky Mountains; camped at Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes, stood in admiration at both the Grand Canyon and Badlands; and even treaded the crystal clear waters of Glacier National Park. All this natural beauty for zero dollars and zero cents.
busch gardens | seaworld | sesame place
First up, The Waves of Honor Program annually offers military members and up to (3) direct dependents complimentary entry to either Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, or Sesame Place. With a Single Day Ticket to Busch Gardens Williamsburg currently priced at $115 per person, that’s a vacation savings of $460 for a family of (4)! What also makes this freebie great is it can be used at parks located in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, or California. So you and your family will have multiple options when choosing your next family vacation destination.
military discounts: theme parks
disney world military salute tickets
moving on to a spot that always ranks high on every family’s vacation wish list, Disney World. disney world has generously offered Military Salute Tickets for many, many years. And while the program has been revised here and there, the military discount still remains unmatched in comparison to general admission pricing.
Packages include options for families to visit (4), (5), or (6) days with Park Hopper tickets. Some blackout dates due apply, so be sure to check the disney world website before purchasing.
Additionally, the disney world resort extends military discounts at some of its most popular onsite hotels. Discounts are best achieved by calling the reservation line at (407) 939-7830 and speaking directly with a Cast Member.
disneyland military promotional park hopper
in conjunction with disney world, disneyland in anaheim, california also offers a collection of military discount vacation packages. If you’ve read DISNEYLAND IS A TREMENDOUSLY BETTER VALUE THAN DISNEY WORLD blog, you know I’m a big proponent of Disneyland! And if you’re headed to Southern California, the Disneyland military discount cannot be overlooked.
Choose from a (3) Day Park Hopper Pass at $269 per person, or a (4) Day Park Hopper Pass at $315 per person. Lighting Lane upgrades are also available if you’re looking to skip the lines and maximize your time in the parks. {i personally don’t think thats necessary with the conveniences these deals already offer, but the choice is yours}. When taking into account that Disney fluctuates its standard park entry fee depending on the time of year and park demand, these discounts are a massive savings for your military family.
universal orlando military freedom pass
next, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many of these military discounts are offered in orlando, florida: the ultimate family vacation destination. at universal orlando, military members can purchase up to (6) promotional tickets starting at $210 per person. Thrill seekers can experience both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure with this exclusive military discount. The themed lands and character selections are sure to include something for everyone, with access the simpsons, minions, harry potter, and even marvel superheroes.
legoland florida
traveling just south of orlando, Military families can enjoy BOGO deals at Legoland Florida that include (2) days at the park for less than $80 per person. The accompanying Legoland Resort also offers a 10% military discounts on all eligible rooms.
great wolf lodge howling heroes
moving on to a true family favorite, Great Wolf Lodge is the perfect destination, even staycation, for the family looking to get away. With over (20) lodges nationwide, and more on the way, the howling heroes discount offers up to 30% off your military family vacation stay. with spacious suites sleeping anywhere from 2-12 people, onsite dining options, daily scheduled activities for kiddos, and an epic indoor water park, great wolf lodge is all-inclusive family fun.
military discounts: local tourist attractions
ski & snow epic pass
shifting gears, and even scenry, the epic pass is a can’t miss annual offering for those who crave winter sports action. with the epic pass, active and retired military members, as well as their dependents, can experience unlimited all-season access to over 30 ski & snow resorts! from vermont to california, and even international options in canada and australia, the epic pass is one of the largest military discounts on the market. passes start as low as $181 per person, and includes additional discounts on rental equipment, food & beverage, lessons, and even lodging. this is one deal to share with your snow loving friends and family!
museums, aquariums, science centers, and zoos
When exploring a new major city, always check to see what local attractions offer military discounts. From free entry, to discounts as large as 75% off, local institutions are a great way to learn about an areas histories, culture, and identity. Many of these facilities almost always include interactive features from in person tours, playful exhibits, and demonstrations to keep you and your family entertained for hours on end.
every year from armed forces day to labor day, blue star families in partnership with the national endowment for the arts, extends free entry to museums of all kinds across the nation. with over 2,000 annual institutions participating in the program, families of up to (6) are extended unlimited entry during the promotional period. at the time of this blog’s publishing, the 2024 season has come to a close, but the program is expected to resume come spring 2025.
final thoughts . . .
in summary, military discounts have made our family vacations so much more attainable. we are continually grateful to have such a variety of unique destinations and activities to choose from thanks to the abundance of programs offered. and military discounts do not stop at just travel destinations, but also include lodging, travel accessories, transportation, and even reward credit cards. more of those topics later…
if you’re in proximity to a military installation, i invite you to check the MWR and ITT offices for additional local discounts. most offices will even offer face value single day park passes to some of the major theme parks mentioned above.
and don’t forget your mil id!
CHEERS BABES!
jenna
MADAME PRESIDENT AT DEPARTMENT OF DEPENDENTS
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ALL PRODUCT LINKS SHARED may be ELIGIBLE FOR A SMALL COMMISSION. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTing DEPARTMENT OF DEPENDENTS