San Diego MWR Tickets: Your Guide to Discounted Military Recreation Options

The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) program of the United States military is an important and necessary part of mission readiness for Servicemembers. Most military professions are rewarding but also very high-stress and, in many cases, dangerous. Frequent deployments mean time away from families, feelings of isolation and loneliness, and can even cause marital problems and issues with relationships with children. The MWR program is designed to help Servicemembers combat these problems by optimizing time spent with loved ones while they are home. These programs provide discounted, and in some cases, free programs for the entire family that range from leisure activities, recreation, travel, family enhancement and enrichment programs, and a variety of other services. Many locations around the country offer special services to military families, and many destinations have special activities specifically for MWR programs. If you want to read more about MWR in general, you can do so at this link. If you are visiting San Diego anytime soon, you will be pleased to know that there are a variety of San Diego MWR tickets for attractions around the city that are worth looking into.

What Are San Diego MWR Tickets and How Do They Work?

MWR tickets are discounted tickets to attractions and events that are typically available only to military personnel and their families through the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Program. They are intended to be affordable so that military personnel are more easily able to afford them and encourage time spent with families. These tickets might differ based on the type of service or station of the Veteran or Servicemember. For example, reservists may not get as many discounts as active duty, and civilian contractors who qualify for MWR tickets elsewhere might not qualify for them at another destination. SD MWR tickets are typically available to active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel, as well as Department of Defense civilians and their families. You can use San Diego MWR tickets at various locations in the San Diego area, including amusement parks, museums, concerts, and tours. For example, the world-famous San Diego Zoo offers special discounted tickets to eligible military members year-round, and this even includes discounts on private animal experiences and other special programs that might have priority reservations.

Eligibility Requirements for Purchasing MWR Tickets in San Diego

SD MWR tickets are in limited supply and not available to all military personnel. Active duty, retired, reserve, and Veteran personnel, as well as family members, all have access to many San Diego MWR tickets, but these might not be available at all times of the year. The majority of Veterans can buy San Diego MWR tickets from recreation and travel offices on military installations or at the destinations themselves. It is often necessary to present your military ID or discharge papers to verify your eligibility status; if you purchase tickets online ahead of time, there might be a special process through the DEERS system to verify your eligibility. There’s also a limitation to the number of tickets that could be purchased by a single eligible Servicemember. In most cases, the Servicemember making use of MWR eligibility can only purchase up to six tickets for a particular attraction or location, and this is the case with many locations utilizing San Diego MWR tickets. 

MWR San Diego Tickets Price List: Types of Discounts Available

Below is an MWR San Diego ticket price list of some of the more common San Diego attractions and their availability through MWR programs:

• Belmont Park Ride and Play Pass: $40 (Normal Price: $54)
• Birch Aquarium: $16.50 (Normal Price: $30)
• Coastal Tours of San Diego (Beaches): $140 (Normal Price: $180)
• Fisherman’s Landing: $35 (Normal Price: $75)
• LegoLand Single Day: $67 (Normal Price: $80)
• SeaWorld San Diego Single Day: $70 (Normal Price: $120)

See more SD MWR tickets prices on San Diego attractions from the San Diego Naval Base MWR office at this link.

MWR Ticket Office: Where to Buy Discounted Tickets in San Diego

For those interested in SD MWR tickets, there are many opportunities to purchase them around the city and at the MWR ticket office at the San Diego Naval Base. The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Center and Outdoor Adventure Center, located on Norman Scott Road at the San Diego Naval Base, is one place to purchase tickets, as well as MWR Community Recreation at NAVMED San Diego, which offers outdoor recreation, community events, and vacation bookings. Balboa Liberty Center at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, offers tickets to entertainment and personal leisure adventures, and MWR tickets are available to live entertainment venues and other attractions. In many cases, you can purchase destination MWR tickets from the MWR office at your own military installation. However, doing so might result in you not getting the best deals, or you might be unable to take advantage of certain discounts available only at the destination itself.

How to Find the Best Deals on San Diego MWR Tickets

Even with discounted MWR tickets, there may be deals and special events to take advantage of, which may require some research. American Forces Travel allows eligible Servicemembers to book event tickets, hotels, rental cars, and other vacation packages online before arrival in San Diego. The Outdoor Adventure Center inside The Admiral Robinson Bowling facility on Naval Base San Diego is a good place to start if you want to inquire about regional opportunities, which might not be advertised online yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here we address common questions people have about San Diego MWR tickets or MWR programs in general. Please contact your local military installation’s MWR office if you have further questions. You can also call the San Diego Naval Base MWR office at (619) 556-7498 to learn more about SD MWR tickets.