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WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 7, 2009) - A Disney
vacation just got more affordable.
With the "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" offer, active
and retired U.S. military personnel, including active members of
the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National
Guard or Reserves, can enjoy complimentary, multi-day admission
into Disney's U.S. theme parks, and additional special ticket
offers for family members and friends.
"For so many of the men and women who serve in our U.S.
military, time together with their families is cause enough for
celebration," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and
Resorts. "We are grateful for their service and hope 'Disney's
Armed Forces Salute' will allow our troops to create wonderful,
magical memories with their family and friends."
Shades
of Green, a resort hotel on Walt Disney World Resort in
Orlando, Fla., is open exclusively to servicemembers, retirees,
defense civilians, and their families. It is a safe haven for
military families whether they're reintegrating after an overseas
deployment, having one last "family fling" before mom or dad
deploys, or simply getting away for a weekend.
"If I suddenly break down and cry in a Holiday Inn, everyone's
going to be looking at me funny," one guest recently explained.
"Here, if it suddenly dawns on me he's leaving in a week and I
start to cry, I've got 10 people asking how they can help and
offering support."
The resort manager, Brian Japak, is a retired Soldier, and his
son has survived two roadside-bomb attacks while serving in
Iraq.
"I have great empathy for the families that we serve here," he
said.
Japak said the staff makes every effort to ensure the guests are
pampered Disney style -- with just a touch of "home" through the
tax-free Army and Air Force Exchange Service shoppette and a Mickey
Mouse statue decked out in red, white and blue. Security at the
hotel complies with standard base force protection regulations,
ensuring the Soldiers and families can sleep soundly and not worry
about their personal safety.
Shades of Green is an Armed Forces Recreation Center hotel run by the
Army's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command based in
Alexandria, Va. The command's mission is to provide Soldiers and
their families with the same quality of life they are sworn to
protect. Rates are set on a sliding scale, based on rank, and with
no shareholders to answer to or profits to be made, the rates are
kept remarkably low.
At the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, from Jan. 4 to Dec.
23, each active or retired member of the U.S. military may obtain
one free five-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket with "Park
Hopper" and water park options. The ticket is valid for five days
of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a
total of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park,
DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other
attractions.
During this offer period, active or retired U.S. military
personnel also may make a one-time purchase up to five "Disney's
Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets - good for five days -- for
$99 each, plus tax, for family members or friends. Although this
ticket for family members and friends does not include either the
Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More options, it can be
upgraded to add either such option, or both, for an additional $25,
plus tax, per option. All tickets and options are nontransferable
and must be used by Dec. 23.
A similar offer is in place at Walt Disney Land in California.
More information is available at installation ITT/ITR offices.
AFRCs offer four other world-class destinations for families,
including Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch, Germany; Dragon
Hill Lodge in Seoul, South Korea; the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu,
and the Cape Henry Inn and Beach Club at Fort Storey, Va.
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