Thread: Free entry to Florida Theme Parks for all British soldiers

Originally Posted by the_boy_syrup

Originally Posted by REstitcher

Originally Posted by armr617

In Germany these days (since 11/09) you need to get a pass, you get the paperwork from the welfare office, signed by Bde then go down and get a photo ID.
on the plus side we can now use the commissary (never used to)

The amount of PX's has gone right down, although Ramstein has just had a massive rebuild.

JumpinJarhead, I may well take you up on that offer!

I know getting onto US bases in Germany is hard going now, but i've been on the bases over here in UK a few times recently, the MOD90 works fine, as the bases here are classed as RAF. I have a few US Military mates so will try and see if they can help this side.
I was really trying to see if it was as easy as flashing the MOD90 at the ticket booth to get discount, or is it a case of having extra forms signed up to say your serving , and recently been on Operations?

RE

Last time I was in the states in New York it was flash MOD 90 explain your British Army and your in

One lad told the doorman at MTV that some lads in Iraq (he'd not been) told me this was the place to come to see that stars
Next thing he's in the VIP lounge with Pink and someone else having photo's whilst their thanking him for what he'd done for them

I think the blagging way in may work but don't want to count on it, theres ticket deals for Disney ect. on line so maybe i will go for that then any other attractions i'll pull out the I.D. and see if i can get anything off.

Originally Posted by REstitcher

Originally Posted by the_boy_syrup

Originally Posted by REstitcher

Originally Posted by armr617

In Germany these days (since 11/09) you need to get a pass, you get the paperwork from the welfare office, signed by Bde then go down and get a photo ID.
on the plus side we can now use the commissary (never used to)

The amount of PX's has gone right down, although Ramstein has just had a massive rebuild.

JumpinJarhead, I may well take you up on that offer!

I know getting onto US bases in Germany is hard going now, but i've been on the bases over here in UK a few times recently, the MOD90 works fine, as the bases here are classed as RAF. I have a few US Military mates so will try and see if they can help this side.
I was really trying to see if it was as easy as flashing the MOD90 at the ticket booth to get discount, or is it a case of having extra forms signed up to say your serving , and recently been on Operations?

RE

Last time I was in the states in New York it was flash MOD 90 explain your British Army and your in

One lad told the doorman at MTV that some lads in Iraq (he'd not been) told me this was the place to come to see that stars
Next thing he's in the VIP lounge with Pink and someone else having photo's whilst their thanking him for what he'd done for them

I think the blagging way in may work but don't want to count on it, theres ticket deals for Disney ect. on line so maybe i will go for that then any other attractions i'll pull out the I.D. and see if i can get anything off.

Go to a US base first. If you can get on they will probably let you use their booking facilities. Disney will almost certainly offer a much better deal to their forces outlets than any random on-line one. If you can book stuff in the USA from a US millitary base you will be offered excelent deals.

It is bloody amazing the way US corporations treat their millitary. If you haven't been over there before you are probably in for a shock. Although it can sometimes be OTT the public do repect their millitary over there.

Originally Posted by Mr_Deputy

Originally Posted by Forastero

On exercise to Ft Benning a few years ago we had to transit through Bangor, Maine which meant getting off the VC 10 and sitting in the main departure lounge in full CS 95 whilst we waited for the aircraft to be refuelled. As I rounded the corner I could hear cheering, whooping and applause coming from the front (there were about 120 of us) and it soon became apparent that there was an official welcoming committee of retired US military personnel, their relatives and the waiting passengers giving us a hero's welcome! Cue red faces all round and lots of Brits trying to play it down.

On the way back, we got the same treatment but we were a bit more at ease with the whole thing. As cheesy as it was, it was actually really well received and although we plainly weren't Yanks, we were grateful for the attention. Mind you, I can't see that happening at Heathrow!

Not from the staff you wouldn't.

(Bit close to the bone I suppose.) Yup

Well if you see someone wearing a H4H band on arrival, he might be giving a sh1t. Not everyone who works there is being monitored by MI5

Originally Posted by Mr Happy

Originally Posted by Mr Happy

So Family Happy is off to FL for two weeks in October 6th+, doing the tour from Miami north, then down the west side and down to the Keys and then back to Miami for a flight back. My question is... Is their any great deal (discounts) that we should make sure we take up?

Just a quick update on the family holiday to FL, USA.

As the OP says, Sea World was free. However, the discount took some proving (wanted to see the wife's ID etc) this became clear (finally) when it turned out the discount is only for one of the Anshauser Buesch attractions once per family per year. The normal admittance I guess for a family of 4 would have been about $300 I guess.

We also got discounts at Universal Studios.

Disney we got nothing because apparently you have to stay at SHADES OF GREEN which is the military hotel complex where they sell the military tickets - all priced appropriately.

Hotels was interesting, some places gave 10% but Marriott gave us the FEDERAL GOVT RATE which turned a $300 room down to $94.

Which meant we checked out of this $99 place when we discovered the cockroaches:



to this place

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...and-golf-club/

Thanks very much.

Lastly, cheers to the Yanks as ever it was a pleasure, and advice to any other travellers, don't fly into Miami, Fly to Orlando.

Typical yanks, have to have the biggest roaches

My skin crawls also when you see the yanks whooping up their military involvement in the world; as endearing as saving a few squid is, and as heartening as a few slaps on the back are, it's still creepy. Sheeps, wolf and clothing.

Originally Posted by BoomShackerLacker

Sheeps, wolf and clothing.

Sheeps? Is that the plural of a sheep?

Whats the weather like in Orlando New year time?

Read through the topic some spot on advice, just concerned about how in date some of it is.
Mr Happy as you have just returned any chance of a detailed advice post on what to do,what not to do, discounts, places to eat etc?

I only ask as I am trying to book something now for around new years and am discovering that prices and such change by the minute so would really appreciate a poke in the right direction so all i need to worry about is getting there.
Any advice from blokes living there would be hugely appreciated too, its quite hard to read between the bullshit on some of the resort adverts and such. Forgot to add Im still in so mod90 flashing wouldnt be a problem if it were to help?

Look forward to any and all advice

Originally Posted by Dollsteeth

Whats the weather like in Orlando New year time?

Read through the topic some spot on advice, just concerned about how in date some of it is.
Mr Happy as you have just returned any chance of a detailed advice post on what to do,what not to do, discounts, places to eat etc?

I only ask as I am trying to book something now for around new years and am discovering that prices and such change by the minute so would really appreciate a poke in the right direction so all i need to worry about is getting there.
Any advice from blokes living there would be hugely appreciated too, its quite hard to read between the bullshit on some of the resort adverts and such. Forgot to add Im still in so mod90 flashing wouldnt be a problem if it were to help?

Look forward to any and all advice

I went there mid-late December 2002. The weather was a bit hit and miss. Not particularly hot but could cut around in a t-shirt most days. Had a few rainy days but not many. Aparently it is much better in the cooler season as during the summer hols it is ridiculously hot with massive ques. I was told by septics to not go during that (summer) time of year. If you are going after new year you should get good deals but during the festive season it is likely to be extra expensive.

Oh, you don't want to ask locals about the weather too much as they think it is cold. A bit like Cyprus winters if you like, straight from UK and out on the beach, been there during the summer wearing a coat and a Cypriot likely to be wearing a balaclava.

Cheers mate, late dec early jan is all thats available for me unfortunatly due to pre-deployment build up crap but actually warm would be far better then hot, get enough of that weather with work

Anything is a bonus and wouldnt be fussed either way but would be a shame if there were discounts available to me as a soldier and I didnt know or didnt take the chance.

Originally Posted by PoisonDwarf

Originally Posted by BoomShackerLacker

Sheeps, wolf and clothing.

Sheeps? Is that the plural of a sheep?

It's the plurals of plurals.

Keep up at the back.

Originally Posted by PoisonDwarf

Originally Posted by BoomShackerLacker

Sheeps, wolf and clothing.

Sheeps? Is that the plural of a sheep?

That would be "sheepses".

Originally Posted by Mr Happy

Originally Posted by Mr Happy

So Family Happy is off to FL for two weeks in October 6th+, doing the tour from Miami north, then down the west side and down to the Keys and then back to Miami for a flight back. My question is... Is their any great deal (discounts) that we should make sure we take up?

Just a quick update on the family holiday to FL, USA.

As the OP says, Sea World was free. However, the discount took some proving (wanted to see the wife's ID etc) this became clear (finally) when it turned out the discount is only for one of the Anshauser Buesch attractions once per family per year. The normal admittance I guess for a family of 4 would have been about $300 I guess.

We also got discounts at Universal Studios.

Disney we got nothing because apparently you have to stay at SHADES OF GREEN which is the military hotel complex where they sell the military tickets - all priced appropriately.

Hotels was interesting, some places gave 10% but Marriott gave us the FEDERAL GOVT RATE which turned a $300 room down to $94.

Which meant we checked out of this $99 place when we discovered the cockroaches:



to this place

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...and-golf-club/

Thanks very much.

Lastly, cheers to the Yanks as ever it was a pleasure, and advice to any other travellers, don't fly into Miami, Fly to Orlando.

Mr Happy:
If Florida one does not say "cockroach", one says "palmetto bug". You know it is a big feckin cockroach, I know it is a big feckin cockroach but the Floridian term is Palmetto Bug. I had a few in my condo in Florida once. Didn't know whether to get a 12 bore and shoot it or to put a saddle on it and ride it out the door.

As to Florida winter weather, it is quite variable within fairly short distances. Miami on East and Naples and Ft Myer on West are fairly warm all winter but a bit further north could be a bit cooler. No need for long underwear and a woolly gansey but maybe a windbreaker/light fleese over the t-shirt at some times, other times quite warm. I don't care, it is still warmer that the New England coast in the winter. Last year I was in Largo (near Tampa) for a couple of weeks in January. I did not sit by the pool in a bathing suit all day but wore a shirt and shorts and enjoyed the sun anyway.

Any active UK military traveling in the US should check out the USO Linky here. A great outfit they have offices in major cities and on/near bases. They provide very nice lounges in major airports and also often have free/dirt cheap tickets to theatres and sporting events. I recall in NY City getting baseball tickets and also theatre tickets. Theatres hate empty seats and often donate to USO unsold tickets.

In Tampa, FL the hockey team wants to fill seats. Every game day at 10:00AM they sell all unsold seats for that day for $10. Last winter I took my godchildren and family to a hockey game. $50 for 5 tickets worth $55 each. My godson is from Toronto area and had never been to a NHL game as in Toronto tickets unobtainable. He was very happy with "Uncle David".

As to ticket discounts at Shades of Green in Orlando, I believe you can get discounted tickets at Shades of Green even if you are not staying there. About 10 years ago we got tickets there although not staying there, wife was active USN officer at the time. As to staying there, I think that UK troops can stay there only if in the US on orders for training, exchange program, serving in a NATO command in US (lots of Brits at CINCLANT in Norfolk) Note: Shades of Green is a non-smoking facility as are all Disney hotels.

As to Disney tickets, the Disney site refers only to US personnel getting discounts. I think the current discount program is one free 5 day ticket for the military member and up to 5 companion tickets for 5 days at $99 each. It would be worth checking to see if they will honor UK military ID. Also on Disney, if a person in the party is disabled Disney has a reputation of being very helpful. On rides with long lines the disabled go to the front of the line in most cases.

Also, if in Florida the Everglades is well worth a look. The National Park Center offers tours at Shark River where you will see lots of alligators and other wildlife. The tour guides do a great job. (note, some Florida restaurants have alligator on the menu. Tastes just like chicken but the meat is whiter than chicken.

Have a great time.

Originally Posted by DavidBOC

...As to Disney tickets, the Disney site refers only to US personnel getting discounts. I think the current discount program is one free 5 day ticket for the military member and up to 5 companion tickets for 5 days at $99 each. It would be worth checking to see if they will honor UK military ID. Also on Disney, if a person in the party is disabled Disney has a reputation of being very helpful. On rides with long lines the disabled go to the front of the line in most cases...

Yes and IIRC, Universal and Seaworld resorts have a similar policy. Something that I thought was a nice idea until I got there. Almost everyone that was classed as "disabled" was actually just a fat knacker. They would ride around the parks on spaz chariots, go straight to the front of the queues and the only thing wrong was them was gluttony. For the genuinely disabled it is a really good idea but to reward people for being obese just seems wrong.

Originally Posted by StickyEnd

Originally Posted by DavidBOC

...As to Disney tickets, the Disney site refers only to US personnel getting discounts. I think the current discount program is one free 5 day ticket for the military member and up to 5 companion tickets for 5 days at $99 each. It would be worth checking to see if they will honor UK military ID. Also on Disney, if a person in the party is disabled Disney has a reputation of being very helpful. On rides with long lines the disabled go to the front of the line in most cases...

Yes and IIRC, Universal and Seaworld resorts have a similar policy. Something that I thought was a nice idea until I got there. Almost everyone that was classed as "disabled" was actually just a fat knacker. They would ride around the parks on spaz chariots, go straight to the front of the queues and the only thing wrong was them was gluttony. For the genuinely disabled it is a really good idea but to reward people for being obese just seems wrong.

The reason they put the blimps at the front of these rides is purely for safety.
As and when the extra mass of supersized blubberbutts causes catastrophic failure of the rollercoaster, the wobblebottoms will pile in first causing a huge adipose cushion for everyone else to fall safely, if somewhat messily, into.

Originally Posted by Dollsteeth

Cheers mate, late dec early jan is all thats available for me unfortunatly

That will be expensive, the park prices remain the same but hotels and flights will cost much more.

Sticky don't let yourself down by attacking obese kids and adults who may be overweight due to their condition or medication. Be thankful your own family is, I hope, healthy and show some grit!