The Magic Of Disney
Even if you know me just a little bit, you know I'm a bit of a Disney junkie. No, I don't know everything there is to know, and I probably never will. But I'm always learning new things, and I love sharing what I do know. There is an incredible amount of Magic about Disney, and as a grown woman pushing 50, it makes me cry like a baby.
One of the biggest generosities that Disney has perpetuated is their treatment of US Veterans and Uniformed Service members. Back in World War I, Walter Elias Disney's brothers all went off to join the military. Walt was 16 at the time, and was denied an enlistment. However, his desire to serve didn't end. Walt found out he could be an Ambulance Corps driver with the Red Cross. But, they required people to be 17. Still at 16 years old, he was unable to join. Being an artist, he altered his birth certificate so it looked like he was 17 years old. He never had a chance to drive during the actual war, but was sent to France after recovering from a short round of the flu, and drove officers around, and eventually delivered donuts and ice cream to hospital patients (Lemesh, 2016). He even drew his art on some of the ambulances he drove.
What does this have to do with present day? Walt had a desire to serve. His legacy of service lives on today in many ways. Disney World Resort gave permission to the Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) to build a sprawling resort on Disney property named Shades of Green (SOG). It is located right across the street from the Polynesian Resort, tucked between 2 golf courses. The rooms are bigger than many of the Disney resort rooms, has it's own bus service (even on Race Weekends), included in Extra Magic Hours, and is walking distance to the Monorail at the Polynesian. Room rates are based on Active or Retired military rank, or other eligibility categories.
Shades of Green users don't get to use Disney's Magical Express, but I have long given up on relying on Disney bus services and I get a rental car. Eligible guests that can stay at SOG are Active or Retired Military, Coast Guard, Military Academy Cadets, DOD Civilians, Uniformed Public Health, NOAA Corps Officers, Military Dependents (me), 100% Medically Retired military personnel, and a few other categories. For the full list, click here. Every January and September, SOG opens up reservations to ANY honorably discharged US veteran.
The other thing that Disneyland and Disney World have continued for many years is the Military Salute Ticket. At Walt Disney World, the Salute Ticket is a heavily discounted 4 or 5 day Park Hopper Ticket. At Disneyland, it is a 3 or 4 day Park Hopper. Salute Tickets can be transferred to Magic Bands at any Customer Service booth at the Parks. The eligible sponsor is able to get 6 Salute Tickets a year. As a military dependent (I got a medical discharge out of the Navy, so I did not retire), I am able to make reservations at SOG, and order Park tickets in person at SOG, at any local base ticket office, or via SOG online ticket form.
There really could not be any other option other than this Salute Ticket and SOG that has allowed me to go to Disney as often as I do. I can get multiple Salute Tickets a year and still not add up to the cost of an Annual Pass (AP). I do enjoy staying at Disney Resorts because they are full of Magic. But, SOG is just super convenient and much more affordable to me. It will be home again to me this April for the runDisney Star Wars Rivals Weekend. I stayed there last year. OH AND NO PARKING FEE!! SOG even has a walking path to the start of the 10K and Half Marathon on Star Wars Weekend. But, I took the bus!
Present-Day Disney has not lost sight of giving back to those who served. This is absolutely in line with Walt's desire to serve. I am incredibly grateful that Disney has continued to offer the Salute Ticket, and I am eternally grateful for being able to stay on property in the middle of the Magic at an affordable price.
One of the biggest generosities that Disney has perpetuated is their treatment of US Veterans and Uniformed Service members. Back in World War I, Walter Elias Disney's brothers all went off to join the military. Walt was 16 at the time, and was denied an enlistment. However, his desire to serve didn't end. Walt found out he could be an Ambulance Corps driver with the Red Cross. But, they required people to be 17. Still at 16 years old, he was unable to join. Being an artist, he altered his birth certificate so it looked like he was 17 years old. He never had a chance to drive during the actual war, but was sent to France after recovering from a short round of the flu, and drove officers around, and eventually delivered donuts and ice cream to hospital patients (Lemesh, 2016). He even drew his art on some of the ambulances he drove.
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| Disney is seen above in his Red Cross uniform, and on the right with a group of his buddies |
Shades of Green users don't get to use Disney's Magical Express, but I have long given up on relying on Disney bus services and I get a rental car. Eligible guests that can stay at SOG are Active or Retired Military, Coast Guard, Military Academy Cadets, DOD Civilians, Uniformed Public Health, NOAA Corps Officers, Military Dependents (me), 100% Medically Retired military personnel, and a few other categories. For the full list, click here. Every January and September, SOG opens up reservations to ANY honorably discharged US veteran.
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| Arial shot of the front of Shades of Green |
There really could not be any other option other than this Salute Ticket and SOG that has allowed me to go to Disney as often as I do. I can get multiple Salute Tickets a year and still not add up to the cost of an Annual Pass (AP). I do enjoy staying at Disney Resorts because they are full of Magic. But, SOG is just super convenient and much more affordable to me. It will be home again to me this April for the runDisney Star Wars Rivals Weekend. I stayed there last year. OH AND NO PARKING FEE!! SOG even has a walking path to the start of the 10K and Half Marathon on Star Wars Weekend. But, I took the bus!
Present-Day Disney has not lost sight of giving back to those who served. This is absolutely in line with Walt's desire to serve. I am incredibly grateful that Disney has continued to offer the Salute Ticket, and I am eternally grateful for being able to stay on property in the middle of the Magic at an affordable price.
"I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse."
Walter Elias Disney
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