UK Armed Forces Discounts?

[lind]

Many of the Florida attractions offer good discounts for members of the US military, but none of the websites contain information about UK Forces discounts.

I've heard rumours that UK armed forces personnel can get into Seaworld & Busch Gardens free, but haven't seen anything on the web to substantiate this.

Anybody had first hand experience of these discounts? Or know where I might find information? I don't want to buy tickets in advance only to get out there & find I could have got in for less by paying on the gate.

Thank you

[Orlandobelle]

Hero Salute (http://www.herosalute.com/)

These do apply to UK forces too :D

Since the demise of the Magic Kingdom Club, discounts to Disney are not as readily available. I believe you can buy discounted tickets at the PX at Naval bases over there.

Many hotels do Miltary/Government discounts - including the Swan & Dolphin - and it never hurts to ask in shops etc We've come across many a carefully placed sign offering 10-15% off for military personel

[Octal]

Welcome to the DIBB lind :thumb:

I think that is the case, my son is in the RAF and he could have got discounts when we were over there, but the Americans make quite a fuss of our service personnel, so much so he found it quite embarrassing, so he'd sooner keep quite about it.

We went over to Florida three weeks after 9/11 and the amount of attention he received was incredible, even at the immigration desk the guy shook his hand and thank him :blush: My son as you gather is quite quiet and reserved and doesn't like the attention, there you go, his choice.

[ann&les]

We were there a month ago and got into Seaworld free on production of an ID card. There's a ticket booth to the far right that deals purely with military and their families. I believe you are entitled to free entry for upto 3 dependants in both Seaworld and Busch Gardens, although we only made use of Seaworld.

[wilma-bride]

We were there a month ago and got into Seaworld free on production of an ID card. There's a ticket booth to the far right that deals purely with military and their families. I believe you are entitled to free entry for upto 3 dependants in both Seaworld and Busch Gardens, although we only made use of Seaworld.

Actually, you are entitled to free entry to Busch Gardens or Sea World (not both) once in a period of 12 months.

[Gaz]

yes seaworld does allow access to military personel and close family, not sure how many. when we used this in 2003 it was only open to those who had served in Iraq and they gave you a IRAQ FREEDOM Badge and ticket holder, and at the start of the shows they used to ask all military to stand including the UK military and the crowd gave a huge round of applause, as Octal said it can be embarrasing but to be honest it did make you proud of who you are and what you do. in some way another embarasing side of it was that the applause was from another countries public (yes there was some brits in the crowd i know) but it felt brilliant to know that there whole nation is behind you. in our country the nation is behind its forces but does on occasion fail to show it when its needed, take Iraq none of us wants to be there (away from our families) but thats the job we do and get paid for its not very nice returning home from such a horrible place and all you here on the news and in the press is that we sould not be there and should pull out. please members of the british public SUPPORT YOUR TROOPS AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AND REMEMBER THE FAMILIES THAT ARE LEFT AT HOME!


sorry rant over.

[Gaz]

you can assess Shades Of Green and purchase attraction tickets from them at a discounted price. but to gain entry there we had to show not only ID cards but also a Nato Travel Order.

[madwife]

How frustrating, we've already bought all our tickets :(

[lind]

Fantastic - I've just printed off a voucher for the 4 of us to get into Seaworld free from the hero salute website.

It makes a lovely change to get an actual discount - most of the ones offered here in the UK, are perceived discounts that can be bettered by shopping around.

My husband will take any embarrassment in his stride, especially if it saves him a few quid, but then he does take alot of pride in his role.

Thank you everyone.

PS. How do I get my countdown to show?

[Keyser Soze]

When I asked about shades of Green I was told that you had to be attached to a US unit and have written confirmation from the Boss.

As for tickets I know people that went to the recreation office at a nearby Naval Air Station and were able to get a good discount.

I used to get a discount from Virgin too.

[Orlandobelle]

Fantastic - I've just printed off a voucher for the 4 of us to get into Seaworld free from the hero salute website.

It makes a lovely change to get an actual discount - most of the ones offered here in the UK, are perceived discounts that can be bettered by shopping around.

My husband will take any embarrassment in his stride, especially if it saves him a few quid, but then he does take alot of pride in his role.

Thank you everyone.

PS. How do I get my countdown to show?

My hubby would run a mile rather than 'embarrass' himself by taking pride in his role :rolleyes: He just shrank into his seat at SeaWorld this year !

Countdown instructions (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=13753)

[Gaz]

When I asked about shades of Green I was told that you had to be attached to a US unit and have written confirmation from the Boss.

As for tickets I know people that went to the recreation office at a nearby Naval Air Station and were able to get a good discount.

I used to get a discount from Virgin too.

you still get discount through virgin with MOD discount we have booked this year with that deal

[floridanewbe]

Fantastic - I've just printed off a voucher for the 4 of us to get into Seaworld free from the hero salute website.

It makes a lovely change to get an actual discount - most of the ones offered here in the UK, are perceived discounts that can be bettered by shopping around.

My husband will take any embarrassment in his stride, especially if it saves him a few quid, but then he does take alot of pride in his role.

Thank you everyone.

PS. How do I get my countdown to show?

Hi Lind

Did you have to register on the 'Heros Salute' site to get the voucher and if so what address did you use?

Thanks

[Lisa-R]

Hi all

This is interesting as my DH is Forces too. In 1998 and 2003 we purchased our Disney tickets through Shades of Green - we had to go to the resort hotel ticket office and produce a Military card. The discount was 10%. Keyser Soze did say though that this is no longer the case :( Might be worth dropping them an email?

Also, do you get the Forces Discount Directory?? - as this has a gazillion other discounts applicable for Forces folks? You can get a copy from the Welfare/Family Office or ask your Clerk. You can also sign-up on-line at www.forcesdiscounts-mod.co.uk

We booked through Virgin and submitted a letter to proove DH is a serving soldier - and got a 10% discount off our holiday. BA also offer a 10% discount (with proof).

Also, we are with the Royal Bank of Scotland and have Royalties account - they offer a 10% discount off all park tickets for their customers.

Every little helps.......

Thanks for the Hero Salute info - never tried this.

[lind]

Hi Lind

Did you have to register on the 'Heros Salute' site to get the voucher and if so what address did you use?

Thanks

I had to register - it didn't say US only anywhere so I used my home address, with state as "other", but then it wouldn't take a UK postcode, so I put in the zip of the villa we are hiring.:blush:

You need to have access to a printer when you do this, as the page it opens with the voucher on it has a unique number, & can't be e-mailed or saved.

[wilma-bride]

I had to register - it didn't say US only anywhere so I used my home address, with state as "other", but then it wouldn't take a UK postcode, so I put in the zip of the villa we are hiring.:blush:

You need to have access to a printer when you do this, as the page it opens with the voucher on it has a unique number, & can't be e-mailed or saved.

We just printed off a blank form last year and filled it in by hand, putting in our home address.

[Lisa-R]

Hi Floridanewbe

I have just printed off the voucher.

I entered 'other' for state and then put in the hotel postcode - which was accepted. UK postcodes are not recognised.

Hope this helps.


edited to say that Joh beat me to the answer on this one !!! :)

[floridanewbe]

Thanks for that folks.

Glad we hadn't already bought tickets. We had decided not to go to Seaworld or Busch Gardens but I think we have just change our minds:grin:

Caz

[Gaz]

as far as Shades Of Green friends of our used them last year, with RN ID card and NATO travel order
the ID Card souldnt make a difference as they are all the same now just a different colour.