Guide to Military Ticket Activation

What to Know Before You Go

🎟️ What Are Salute/Promotional Tickets?

Military Salute Tickets are deeply discounted promotional Disney theme park tickets available to eligible U.S. military members and their families. These tickets can be purchased through military base ITT (Information, Tickets & Travel)or MWR (Morale, Welfare & Recreation) offices, as well as Shades of Green.

However, there’s an important difference depending on where you buy them:

Unlike Salute tickets purchased from Shades of Green, which come pre-activated, Salute tickets bought from ITT or MWR offices require activation at Disney before first use.

🔐 What Does “Ticket Activation” Mean?

“Activation” means Disney verifies your military eligibility at the gate and officially enables the ticket for park entry. It’s a one-time process done in person—typically at Guest Relations or the Disney Springs Ticket Center.

Once your ticket is activated, it can be used for the remaining valid days, just like any other park ticket.

🏰 Where Do I Activate My Tickets?

You can activate Salute tickets at a Guest Relations Ticket Window outside any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks, or at the Disney Springs Ticket Center:

• Magic Kingdom: Just past security
• EPCOT: To the left after bag check
• Hollywood Studios: To the left after security screening
• Animal Kingdom: Near the park entrance, to the left
• Disney Springs: At the Ticket Center in the Town Center area (near Blaze Pizza)

⏰ Tip: Guest Relations and the Disney Springs Ticket Center usually open before official park hours—consider activating early, even the day before your first park day, to save time.

👨‍👩‍👧 Who Needs to Be Present?

Only one eligible military sponsor or spouse needs to be present for activation, along with valid military ID.

✅ You do not need the entire party with you for activation.
✅ Children or other guests using the tickets do not need to be present.
✅ Once activated, all tickets in your bundle are good to go.

🪪 What to Bring:

• Valid Military ID
• All the Salute/Promotional tickets you’re activating
• MagicBands or ticket cards (if linking to accounts)

💡 You can also link your tickets in My Disney Experience ahead of time, but they won’t work at the gate until activated.

🚨 What Happens If You Forget to Activate?

If you go straight to the turnstiles without activating your Salute tickets, you’ll be turned away and sent to Guest Relations. This can be time-consuming, especially on busy mornings—so plan to activate early!

Some families even stop by Disney Springs the day before their first park visit to knock out activation and avoid long lines at the parks.