Busch Gardens military discount
Yes. Through the Waves of Honor program, Busch Gardens gives U.S. active-duty members, reservists and National Guard one free admission a year for themselves and up to three direct dependents, plus 50% off extra tickets. Veterans can buy discounted Military Passes through ID.me.
UpdatedBasepass is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Busch Gardens. Offers change. Confirm on Busch Gardens's official page before you buy.
- Discount
- Free yearly admission for active duty and 3 dependents; 50% off up to 6 Tampa Bay day tickets; Military Pass for active duty and veterans
- Standing offer
- Yes, ongoing
- Who qualifies
- U.S. active-duty military; Activated or drilling reservists; National Guard; Veterans and retirees (Military Pass and membership discounts)
- Verification
- ID.me online, plus a military ID (or for veterans, proof of service such as a DD214, VHIC or Veteran ID Card) and a photo ID at the front gate
- Where
- Online
- Last checked
- against Busch Gardens's official page
How to get the Busch Gardens military discount
Offers are claimed online after ID.me verification and are not sold at the front gate. Discounted tickets and memberships are also sold at base Information, Tickets and Travel (ITT) offices.
- Open the military page for your park (Tampa Bay or Williamsburg) and choose the active-duty or veterans tab.
- Sign in or create an ID.me account and verify your military or veteran status.
- Pick the free Waves of Honor admission, the discounted tickets or the Military Pass, and get the tickets online.
- Bring your military ID or proof of service and a photo ID to the front gate.
Who qualifies
- U.S. active-duty military
- Activated or drilling reservists
- National Guard
- Veterans and retirees (Military Pass and membership discounts)
The free Waves of Honor admission is for currently serving members only. Busch Gardens says inactive, standby and retired reserve members, military retirees, the U.S. Merchant Marine and civilian DoD workers are not eligible for it. Spouses must sign in under the service member's or veteran's ID.me account.
Veterans without a military ID can prove status with VA's digital card: see how to get a Veteran ID Card.
Exclusions and limits
- Free admission: one visit at one park per year (SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place). Not valid at Adventure Island, Aquatica or Discovery Cove, or for separately ticketed events such as Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town in Williamsburg.
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: 50% off up to six single-day tickets, obtained online and used by December 31, 2026. The active member must be present with the guests.
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg: military guests must register online, print tickets and visit by November 8, 2026 for this year's Waves of Honor admission.
- Military Passes are limited to six per member and are not sold at the park.
Tips before you pay
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay lists its Military Pass (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island, 12 months, no blockout dates, free parking) at $152.99 for active duty. The pass includes 3 free guest tickets and up to 20% off in-park purchases.
- Williamsburg sells active-duty and veteran discounts on its 1-Park and 2-Park Unlimited Memberships (Busch Gardens and Water Country USA), limit six, online through ID.me or at base ITT offices.
- If a parent is deployed overseas and children live with a relative, Busch Gardens says the caregiver should contact the park's Guest Relations with proof of military status and deployment.
Good to know
Busch Gardens ran limited-time free-ticket offers for veterans earlier in 2026 (visits by July 31 in Tampa and by September 1 in Williamsburg). Those have ended; watch the veterans pages for the next one.
Tampa Bay and Williamsburg set their own military products and dates. This page covers both parks' terms as published on November 2, 2026.
Waves of Honor is for U.S. military members only, not allied forces.
Source
Checked on November 2, 2026 against Busch Gardens's official page, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay veterans offers, Busch Gardens Williamsburg active duty offers, Busch Gardens Williamsburg veterans offers, Waves of Honor (all parks). Basepass does not set or guarantee this offer. See the full military discounts list for other brands.
Other military discounts in theme parks and travel
- Disneyland Resort military discountSpecially priced theme park tickets and select hotel rates for eligible U.S. military members, valid through 2026
- LEGOLAND California military discountUp to 35% off tickets and up to 10% off select hotel rooms
- Universal Studios Hollywood military discount$4 off 1-Day General Admission and Universal Express, $20 off select passes, online via ID.me or on base
- SeaWorld Orlando military discountFree yearly admission for active duty and 3 dependents; 50% off up to 6 Orlando day tickets; Military Silver Pass
- Six Flags military discountDiscounted single-day tickets online, up to 6 per order, via ID.me; prices vary by park
- Discovery Cove military discountDiscounted Day Resort Admission and Signature Dolphin Swim Package for the member plus up to 3 guests
Busch Gardens military discount FAQ
Is Busch Gardens free for military?
For active duty, activated or drilling reservists and National Guard, yes: Waves of Honor gives one free admission per year for the member and up to three direct dependents, at one Busch Gardens, SeaWorld or Sesame Place park.
Do veterans get into Busch Gardens free?
Not year-round. Veterans aren't eligible for the Waves of Honor free admission. Busch Gardens ran limited-time free-ticket offers for veterans in 2026, but they ended in the summer. Veterans can buy the Military Pass in Tampa and discounted memberships in Williamsburg through ID.me.
How much is the Busch Gardens Tampa military pass?
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay lists the Military Pass at $152.99 for active duty, with 12 months of admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island, no blockout dates and free parking. It is sold online only, limit six.
Can I buy Busch Gardens military tickets at the gate?
No. Busch Gardens says the military offers are only available online through ID.me, though base ITT offices also sell discounted tickets and memberships.
Is the Busch Gardens military discount good at Adventure Island?
The free Waves of Honor admission is not valid at Adventure Island, but the Tampa Bay Military Pass includes Adventure Island admission.
See military discounts and free places near you on the Basepass map
Busch Gardens is one stop. The Basepass map shows military discounts and free places around your address, with eligibility and verification details, plus a free check of the benefits you may have earned.
Open my free benefits check Basepass is independent and not affiliated with the VA, DoD, or any government agency.