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Free SeaWorld Day for Veterans, with a Hard May 10 Deadline: How U.S. Veterans Get In Free for Military Appreciation Month (Plus Active-Duty Year-Round Benefit)
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Free SeaWorld Day for Veterans, with a Hard May 10 Deadline: How U.S. Veterans Get In Free for Military Appreciation Month (Plus Active-Duty Year-Round Benefit)

Michael Travels
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If a veteran lives in your house, the calendar just got interesting. SeaWorld Orlando (and sister parks across United Parks & Resorts) is once again offering free single-day admission to U.S. military veterans for Military Appreciation Month, plus up to three free guest tickets. The catch is the deadline: registration through the Waves of Honor program closes Sunday, May 10, exactly seven days from today. Active-duty members, activated reservists, and National Guard members are separately eligible for the year-round Waves of Honor complimentary admission, which is not gated by this May 10 window.

It is the same deal United Parks has run for years through Waves of Honor, and it has paid out for more than 10 million service members, veterans, and family members across the program's 25-plus year run. The 2026 window is short, but the offer is generous: free admission for the qualifying member, three free guest tickets, and up to six additional tickets at 50 percent off if you are bringing a bigger group.

SeaWorld Orlando park entrance with the iconic blue and orange signage.
SeaWorld Orlando. Photo: SeaWorld Orlando, United Parks and Resorts.

The fine print

  • Who qualifies for the May 10 offer. U.S. military veterans (active, retired, or honorably separated). Each veteran gets one free single-day ticket plus up to three free guest tickets. Active-duty members, activated reservists, and National Guard members are separately eligible for the year-round Waves of Honor benefit, not gated by the May 10 deadline.
  • Where it works. SeaWorld Orlando, San Antonio, and San Diego, plus Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Williamsburg. Aquatica water parks, Discovery Cove, and Sesame Place are not included in the May 10 veterans offer.
  • Registration deadline. Sunday, May 10, 2026. After that, the free-ticket window is closed for 2026 Military Appreciation Month.
  • Park visit deadline. Visit must be completed by Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
  • Bonus: If your group is bigger than four, up to six additional tickets at 50 percent off.
  • What you need at the gate: a registered Waves of Honor confirmation and a valid military ID.

The official quote

From Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts (the parent company of SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, and Sesame Place): "We are incredibly grateful to all members of our military for their commitment and dedication to serving our country."

How to register

The whole thing runs through WavesOfHonor.com (linked from the SeaWorld military discount page). You create an account, verify service, and the eligible tickets land in your account. Walk-up at the gate without registration is not the path; register first, then walk up.

If you happen to also qualify for the year-round Waves of Honor benefit (one complimentary single-day admission per year for active-duty members), the May offer stacks on top of the year-round one. They are separate registrations.

What is happening at SeaWorld this week

  • Seven Seas Food Festival continues through May 17, with live concerts at Bayside Stadium most weekends.
  • AquaGlow at Aquatica Orlando kicks off May 15, the next event after Aloha to Summer wrapped this past weekend.
  • Discovery Cove's Paradise Nights returns June 5 (announced last week), so a free SeaWorld day before May 10 plus a Discovery Cove add-on later in the summer is a real combo move.

Quick planner notes

  • The deadline is real. Waves of Honor caps registration on May 10. Do not wait until next weekend.
  • Bring military ID. Even with registration, you will need to show valid ID at the gate.
  • Stack with Seven Seas. A free SeaWorld day plus the Seven Seas Food Festival tasting passport is a pretty solid pairing through mid-May.
  • Active-duty members with a Military Silver Pass ($161, no blockout dates, free general parking) might find the free Military Appreciation Month ticket redundant; veterans on no annual program will get the most value.

Sources

Image credits: SeaWorld Orlando, United Parks and Resorts.

Mentioned in this story

Check out our guides for more on each place in this story:

Seven Seas Food Festival Aloha to Summer AquaGlow

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