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Universal Orlando Military Discounts for Veterans

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Some Veterans Are Eligible to Buy Military Discounted Universal Orlando Tickets at Base Ticket Offices.

In 2019 Congress passed the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act which went into effect 1 January 2020. It is also sometimes referred to as The Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018.

The act applies to the following:

  • Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients
  • Veterans who are former prisoners of war
  • All Veterans with service-connected disabilities
  • Individuals approved and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

Base Ticket Offices

Those eligible under the this Act are able to buy tickets that do not require a current, valid military ID for use at Base Ticket Offices (Universal Orlando’s Freedom Pass and Disney’s Armed Forces Salute (external link to our other site) both require a current valid military ID for use.

But eligible Veterans can buy all the other types of military discounted ticket that Base Ticket Offices sell, including the Regularly Military Discounted Universal Orlando Tickets.

Shades of Green

Shades of Green is the Armed Forces Recreation Center just down the road from Universal on Walt Disney World property).

Shades of Green is a MWR facility and as such is part of this new law.

Those eligible under the this Act are able to stay at Shades of Green and buy tickets from their Ticket Office.

Shades of Green sells a wide variety of Central Florida attraction tickets.

Shades of Green an Armed Forces Recreation Center

As of 31 December 2019 Shades of Green has added the following category to their eligibility:

Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act 2018

Those Eligible:

  • Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients
  • Veterans who are former prisoners of war
  • All Veterans with service-connected disabilities
  • Individuals approved and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

Details:

Veterans are NOT eligible without Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC). The VHIC must display the Veteran’s eligibility status (i.e., PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW, or SERVICE CONNECTED).  Note:  VHIC cards are issued to veterans enrolled in VA health care. Visit: https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhic/ for information regarding eligibility for the VHIC and the application process.
Primary Family Caregivers eligible solely under this act will receive a letter from the VA Office of Community Care that indicates they are the approved and designated Primary Family Caregiver of an eligible Veteran under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and are eligible for these privileges. Eligible caregivers will need to show an acceptable credential along with their eligibility letter.
This new Eligibility category falls under Price Category 3 for Shades regular prices.
Individuals using this new eligibility category are eligible for stays year-round and to use Shades of Green’s facilities as a day-guest e.g. the restaurants, ticket office, and AAFES Store.

This is good news for those affected!

Also, Shades of Green has for many years allowed all who served honorably (non-retirees) to stay in January and September with their DD-214.

see: Shades of Green Stays for Non-Retired Veterans (external link)

 

Read the John McCain Defense Authorization Act

Over to You

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