Orlando Military Appreciation Offers Veterans Day Discounts And Freebies

Orlando, known as the theme park capital of the world, extends special appreciation to military personnel and veterans through various discounts and free admission offers. While many of these promotions are specifically timed for Veterans Day, some establishments provide ongoing benefits to honor service members year-round. This article details the available military appreciation offers in Orlando based on verified information from official sources.

Theme Parks and Attractions

Orlando's premier theme parks and attractions recognize military service with significant discounts and complimentary admission opportunities. These offers typically require valid military identification or proof of service.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment stands out as a major supporter of military personnel, offering location-based discounts or free admission to veterans and active-duty service members. The program includes SeaWorld Orlando as one of the participating locations. According to verified information, the SeaWorld military promotion encompasses multiple parks across the country, with SeaWorld Orlando being specifically included in the benefits. It should be noted that the program does not extend to Discovery Cove in Orlando or Aquatica, SeaWorld's waterpark.

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens participates in honoring military service members through an annual tradition. Sponsored by Orlando Health, the zoo offers free admission to veterans from November 9 to November 11. This Veterans Day appreciation also includes a special buy-one-get-one offer for tickets, where active military members can purchase three tickets and receive three additional tickets free of charge.

Knott's Berry Farm, while not located in Orlando, demonstrates the type of extended military appreciation that some theme parks offer. The California theme park provides free admission to active members and veterans for themselves and a guest between November 1-16, or November 27-December 15 with valid military identification. This longer promotional period showcases how some institutions extend their gratitude beyond a single day.

Dining Discounts

Orlando's diverse restaurant scene includes numerous establishments that express appreciation for military service through complimentary meals and discounts. These offers typically require valid proof of service and may be limited to specific dates.

Several restaurant chains in the Orlando area have participated in Veterans Day appreciation events:

• Red Lobster has offered a free appetizer or dessert from their select Veterans Day menu to active duty military, veterans, and reservists. To receive this offer, patrons needed to present a valid military ID on November 11th.

• Outback Steakhouse has provided a free Bloomin' Onion® and a beverage to all active, retired military and veterans on Veterans Day with valid identification. Their appreciation extended beyond the single day, as military members received 20% off their check from November 12 through November 16, and beginning November 17, military personnel along with fire and police heroes received 10% off their check.

• Ruby Tuesday has offered free appetizers to all former and active duty service members of the military on Veterans Day.

• Red Robin has provided a free dine-in Red's Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries to all veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day.

• Chicken Guy! Winter Park, located in the Orlando area, has honored veterans on Veterans Day by offering complimentary menu items including:

  • The OG Sandwich: Pickles and their signature special sauce
  • The CG Classic: Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and special sauce
  • Three-Piece Tenders: Guy's original tenders served with choice of 2 sauces

• Tijuana Flats has offered a free entrée (up to $11.19 in value) to all veterans on November 11th with the purchase of a beverage. This offer was limited to one-time use per check and was not valid with other promotions.

Accommodation Specials

Orlando's hospitality industry provides special rates and complimentary stays to military personnel and their families as a token of appreciation for their service.

Westgate Resorts has offered military personnel and their families free stays in either Orlando or Las Vegas. The hotel brand provided complimentary vacations to the first 1,500 service members who completed their online military application form. Applications opened at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, November 10th. For those who did not secure one of the free stays, Westgate offered a 25% discount at any of their resorts.

Red Roof Inn has provided a substantial discount of 40% off room rates for any active duty or retired military members who booked between November 1 and November 22 with their Home for the Holidays Discount. This special rate remained valid for stays through the end of February 2018, extending the appreciation beyond the holiday season.

Super 8 has offered a 20% discount for reservations for current and retired military personnel and their spouses, as well as veterans and their families. This discount was available for stays booked between October 11, 2017 and December 4, 2017, with completion required by July 31, 2018.

Retail Discounts

Orlando's retail establishments join in honoring military service members through special discounts and promotions. These offers typically require valid proof of military service.

Target has participated in military appreciation by offering a Veterans Day military discount at both Target stores and Target.com. The discount was available from November 7-11, 2017.

Home Depot has offered a 10% discount to all military veterans on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day. This regular recognition of service on major holidays demonstrates the company's ongoing commitment to military personnel.

Lowes Home Improvement provides a 10% discount to all veterans and active duty service members every day by signing up for a MyLowes card (not a credit card). This daily discount represents a permanent acknowledgment of military service, though it should be noted that Veterans Day used to be one of the few days a year when this discount was offered before becoming an everyday benefit.

Rack Room Shoes has offered military personnel and dependents 10% off their entire purchase on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and 4th of July, aligning their military appreciation with other major national holidays.

Year-Round Military Benefits

Some Orlando establishments extend their appreciation to military personnel beyond specific holidays, offering ongoing discounts and benefits throughout the year.

O'Charley's restaurant provides a 10 percent military discount all year long, demonstrating consistent appreciation for military service rather than limiting recognition to specific dates.

Publix grocery stores have offered active and retired military personnel and family members a 10 percent discount on Veteran's Day, requiring proof of service. While this appears to be a specific day promotion, many Publix locations also offer ongoing military discounts throughout the year, though the specific terms may vary by location.

Sports Clips has offered free haircuts to active-duty U.S. service members and veterans on Veterans Day. Many locations also provide ongoing military appreciation through various programs, though specific details would need to be verified with individual franchises.

Special Events and Community Support

Orlando organizations and businesses have created special events to honor military personnel and support veterans through community initiatives.

The Central Florida community has organized events specifically supporting veterans, including fundraising initiatives. One such event involved collecting proceeds to provide meals for veterans and purchasing Publix gift cards to offer further support. These community-organized events demonstrate the broader appreciation for military service in the Orlando area.

Planning Your Visit

When planning to take advantage of military appreciation offers in Orlando, service members should:

1. Always bring valid military identification or proof of service
2. Confirm current offers directly with establishments, as promotions may change yearly
3. Be aware that some offers may have specific date restrictions or limited availability
4. Consider making advance reservations when required, especially for complimentary stays
5. Check if discounts can be combined with other promotions or special rates

Conclusion

Orlando's military appreciation offers range from complimentary theme park admission and free meals to discounted accommodations and retail benefits. While many of these promotions are specifically timed for Veterans Day, some establishments extend their appreciation year-round. Service members should verify current offers directly with establishments, as terms and availability may change. The variety of discounts across attractions, dining, accommodations, and retail makes Orlando an accessible destination for military personnel and their families to enjoy while feeling appreciated for their service.

Sources

1. Fortune - Veterans Day 2017 Free Deals
2. Local 3 News - Deals for Veterans
3. WPTV - Veterans Day 2017 List of Freebies
4. GolfNow - Military Deals
5. Central Florida Lifestyle - Veterans Day Discounts in Central Florida