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Disney offers free, discounted park tickets

Military personnel, retirees and their families are eligible for free or discounted tickets to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland in California. This includes the Coast Guard as well as National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated at any time between Jan. 1, 2008, and the time the promotions end, said Randy Gerber, military sales manager for Destination Disney.

Spouses of troops who are deployed during the time of the special offer simply need to show their military ID card to purchase up to five discounted “Disney Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets, Gerber said. This enables spouses of those who are deployed during the entire year, for example, to take advantage of the offer.

Here are the deals:

• Walt Disney World: Through Dec. 23, each active or retired member can get a free five-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket at a military base ticket office, including the Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World, or at main entrance theme park ticket windows. Active or retired personnel can also buy up to five five-day tickets for $99 per ticket, plus tax, for family members or friends.

• Disneyland: Through June 12, active or retired military personnel can get an exchange certificate for a free three-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” Park Hopper ticket, at a military base ticket office. The military member can also make a one-time purchase of a three-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” Park Hopper ticket for the price of an adult one-day ticket, for up to five family members or friends. These, too, can be bought only at a military base ticket office before you go to the park.

Remember that you have to activate the exchange certificates obtained at military base ticket offices at the ticket windows at the main entrance. For more details on these and additional options, including discount rates at Disney resort hotels, visit the program’s Web site or call the military base ticket office.

DISCUSS: Have you used the discount tickets?