The Walt Disney Company (DIS) recently reported its fourth quarter and full year earnings results, revealing a 6% year over year revenue increase across its US theme parks. However, though the revenue grew, the attendance actually dropped by 1% at these locations, according to a report from Disney Investor Relations.
The decrease in theme park attendance but higher revenue is related to higher prices. In fact, last year the company raised prices for tickets and in-park merchandise at Disneyland and Disney World, writes Patricia Battle for TheStreet.
In fact, a survey from LendingTree last year shows that many customers are actually going into debt to fund Disney vacations. Around 24% of customers have incurred financial debt to fund a Disney trip, an increase from 18% in 2022.
Disney’s theme park ticket prices have increased by 126% over the last decade, according to a study from MickeyVisit.
In September 2025, the company announced more price hikes for both Disney World and Disneyland, which took effect earlier in November, and it also increased prices for certain annual passes, in-park food and drinks, parking, and merchandise.
From time to time, Disney drops special discounts and offers, and the latest one is huge but aimed only at certain Americans.
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Disney announces deep discount military year-long 2026 ticket
To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, Walt has announced several special offers for Disneyland, Disney Cruise, and Walt Disney World. The offers include ticket deals for the Florida and California parks and also annual passes priced significantly less than the standard annual pass, reports Disney Tourist Blog.
The offering is part of the “Disney Celebrates America” campaign honoring the 250th Anniversary of the United States. The Semiquincentennial event starts on Veterans Day 2025 and continues through the Fourth of July 2026 weekend.
Disney has introduced the Disney Celebrates America Military Salute Ticket, priced at $499 per person plus tax, which provides entrance to all four Walt Disney World theme parks throughout 2026, according to Disney Parks Blog.
Retired and active U.S. military personnel and their families are eligible to purchase the ticket for The Most Magical Place on Earth.
Walt Disney World Resort: Disney Military Salute Ticket Deals
Eligible visitors can choose between the Disney Celebrates America Military Salute Ticket or a 4-Day, 5-Day, or 6-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket, with either the Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus option—for visits in 2026, writes Walt Disney World.
The following promotional tickets are available for purchase:
Disney Celebrates America Military Salute Ticket
With this ticket type, visit again and again through December 18, 2026, with an available reservation.
- With the Park Hopper Option: $499 plus tax
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $529 plus tax
6-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
- With the Park Hopper Option: $449 plus tax
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $479 plus tax
5-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
- With the Park Hopper Option: $429 plus tax
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $459 plus tax
4-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
- With the Park Hopper Option: $409 plus tax
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $439 plus tax
Valid admission dates
Disney Celebrates America Military Salute Tickets and Disney Military Salute Tickets are valid for visits January 1, 2026, through December 18, 2026. All ticket types require an advance park reservation and are subject to the following blackout dates:
- March 29 through April 11, 2026
- November 22 through November 28, 2026
Tickets and options expire and may not be used after December 18, 2026.
Disneyland Resort: Tickets at Special Prices
With the 2026 Military Salute Ticket Offer, eligible service members can visit Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park with discounted 3-Day and 4-Day Park Hopper tickets valid for visits January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
- Disneyland Resort 1-Day 1-Park Military Ticket (Child) $98; (Adult) $104
- 3-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket (Ages 3+) $314
- 3-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket with Lightning Lane Multi Pass (Ages 3+) $416
- 4-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket (Ages 3+) $369
- 4-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket with Lightning Lane Multi Pass (Ages 3+) $505
Source: Disneyland
Park reservations are required.
Additionally, Disney Cruise Line offers special military rates on select Disney cruises, valid for new bookings only. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Disney has launched a $250 onboard credit per reservation for eligible US military personnel on select Disney Wish and Disney Dream sailings throughout 2026.
Special military rates are limited to a maximum of one stateroom per military member, per sailing.
Source: Disney Cruise
Mixed Reactions From the Disney Community
The discount news was shared on Reddit and the thread quickly gained traction with 300 up votes and more than 90 comments. While many users praise the offering, many were reserved and questioned who actually qualifies.
User mrloadedpotato said, “for some reason, Disney continues to exclude veterans and only offer these discounts to Active Duty and Retired. It’d be nice to see them offer this to all military personnel, active and retired/separated/honorably discharged.”
Related: Disney World shuts numerous rides and attractions, some permanently
On Disney World site eligible service members are defined as “are active or retired members of the US Military, including the National Guard, Reservists, the US Coast Guard, the US Space Force, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS), and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Spouses of Eligible Military Service Members also qualify if they can present valid and active US Military IDs.”
Military service members or their spouses who are unsure if they qualify or not in one of these categories, can check on Military Disney Tip’s military and veteran eligibility guide.
The company further notes that eligible service members (or their spouses) must present valid military identification to purchase these tickets.
It is important to note that even though the discounted ticket is not a “full” annual pass with all passholder perks, such as free parking or merchandise/dining discounts, it is a multi-visit admission ticket with annual access through 2026 and with some blockouts, many users agreed that this is a “great deal.”
User BeekyGardener wrote “And if I weren’t a service member I wouldn’t be able to afford to stay at WDW. Saved me a lot of money since I started going to Disney Parks annually between 2015-2020. The annual pass is the amazing thing.”
User Ruckit315 seconded that opinion saying, “It’ll probably be the same as universals freedom pass. Nothing extra. Just park entry. Still one hell of a deal.”
Some users regret recently buying passes, because this deal would have been better for them. Others cautioned that users shouldn’t try to buy tickets through discounted channels without proper documentation, as eligibility will be strictly validated.
Related: SeaWorld, Sesame Place owner blames attendance drop on July 4
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