Veterans Day is this Friday, November 11, and many Central Florida businesses are honoring former and current service members with events, deals, and specials.
Here are the deals specifically for veterans, U.S. Armed Forces members and military families, along with city-wide events to honor them:
EVENTS
22nd annual Veterans Day Parade, Orlando – The parade begins at 11am on Saturday, Nov. 12, traveling along Orange Avenue, Central Boulevard and Rosalind Avenue in Orlando. This year’s parade will open with a tribute to those who have fought for our country and defended our freedom, led by Mayor Dyer and local veterans. The parade’s theme is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs) and Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVEs).
Orange County’s Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony, Orlando – Mayor Jerry Demings and other officials will honor veterans with this event. The ceremony is 11 – 11:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at 201 S. Rosalind Ave. in Orlando and will be livestreamed on Facebook by Orange TV. Free parking is available in the Orange County Parking Lot.
Lake Brantley High School, Altamonte Springs – Local veterans will be honored during this Veterans Day ceremony at its football stadium on Nov. 11.
Lake Highland Preparatory School, Orlando – The free show, titled “Veterans Salute 2022: Foundation of Our Freedom,” takes place at 9am and 6:30pm on Nov. 11 at 901 N. Highland Ave. in Orlando. After the first show guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary breakfast or complimentary dinner before the second show.
Orlando Science Center, Orlando – Will hold a wreath placing ceremony at 11am on Nov. 11 at the Red Tails monument outside by Loch Haven Park. Plus, veterans can enjoy complimentary admission through Nov. 20, with 50% off for their families.
The Venue at Lake Lily, Maitland – “Maitland Veterans’ Salute” will be held Thursday, Nov. 10 from 5 to 9pm. Vietnam Marine Corps Veteran Dick Batchelor will serve as the program’s emcee the event featuring the Maitland Symphony Orchestra, Guest Speaker Alexandra Nass with Command K9 Service Dogs, a Sonny’s BBQ-catered dinner. Tickets are $5 per adult, $2 per child under age 10 at link above. All Veterans are FREE.
Winter Springs Town Center, Winter Springs – The ceremony will feature a presentation of colors and the national anthem by Winter Springs High School students from 6-7pm on Nov. 11.
ATTRACTIONS
Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales – Free admission for Retired military on November 11. Active duty military with proper I.D., including Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, and Reserve members, receive free Gardens general admission every day of the year, with up to four additional friends and family members admitted at half-price.
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford – All veterans and active military get in the Zoo FREE on Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12. Veterans and active military members will also get buy-one-get-one tickets for up to 6 tickets (buy 3, get 3).
Crayola Experience, Orlando – Offers a free Blast Off Bronze annual pass to military members (including active, retired and veterans), law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs. This includes unlimited visits for one year, 20 percent off on-site purchases and discounted tickets for friends and family.
Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando – Offering free admission to veterans and active-duty military on Nov. 11.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island – In honor of Veterans Day, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is thanking veterans, active duty, retired, and reserve military for their service to the United States. These military heroes will receive complimentary admission November 7 – 15, 2022 for themselves and 50% off for four (4) family members.
Orlando Auto Museum at Dezerland Action Park, Orlando – Active and retired military and service personnel will receive free admission on November 11. Guests accompanying military members can purchase tickets for 50 percent off retail price.
The Wheel at Icon Park, Orlando – From 11am to 3pm, on Nov. 11, ICON Park’s partners at the U.S. Army will be onsite at the entertainment destination with several large military vehicles to take pictures and interact with guests in support of Veterans Day.
When the sun sets, guests can see all of The Wheel’s 64,000 LED lights create the American flag.
Plus, all retired military veterans and first responders can receive a free ticket to The Wheel and 50 percent off for one guest ticket. Active military can receive up to four complimentary tickets to The Wheel.
A variety of ICON Park tenants are also offering specials over Veterans Day weekend and throughout the year.
- Madame Tussauds Orlando – Offers a 10 percent military discount all year long
- Museum of Illusions Orlando – Military members can receive $21.99 admission, a $5 discount
- SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium – Offers a 10 percent military discount all year long
- Brother Jimmy’s – Offers 10 percent off for military members year round
- Buffalo Wild Wings – All veterans and active military members can redeem 10 free boneless wings and fries on Nov. 11 and a 10 percent military discount year round
- Build-A-Bear Workshop – Veterans and active military receive 10 percent off purchases
- Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips – Offers 10 percent off for veterans and active military throughout the year (excludes alcoholic purchases)
- iCafe De Paris – BOGO alcoholic beverages and 15 percent discount on menu items for military personnel Nov. 11 to 13
- Ole Red – Offers 10 percent off for veterans and active military throughout the year (excludes alcoholic purchases)
- Shake Shack – Offers a 10 percent military discount
- Sloppy Joe’s – Veterans can receive 20 percent off their final bill Nov. 11 to 13
- Tapa Toro – Military personnel receive 10 percent off food and beverage
- Tin Roof – Offers a 15 percent military discount all year long
In order to receive any of the military discounts listed above, a valid military ID must be presented at time of purchase.
RESTAURANTS
4 Rivers Smokehouse (Multiple Locations) – Offering a free sandwich and two classic sides to veterans on Nov. 11.
Applebee’s (Multiple Locations) – Serving complimentary full-size entrees to veterans on Nov. 11, from an exclusive menu created just for them, plus a $5 coupon off their next meal to be used within three weeks.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse (Multiple Locations) – Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal from a select menu on November 11.
The Boathouse, Disney Springs – Veterans get 20% off with valid ID on Nov. 11.
Bob Evans (Multiple Locations) – Active-duty military and veterans get a free meal from a special menu on Veterans Day.
Build My Burgers, Orlando – Free single cheeseburger, fries, and drink on Nov. 11, for veterans and active duty military.
California Pizza Kitchen (Multiple Locations) – Offering a free entree and beverage from a special menu with proof of service for active and retired military members on Veterans Day.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill (Multiple Locations) – All service members, veterans and first responders get 10 percent off.
The Coop, Winter Park – Veterans get two free chicken tenders, two sides, and a fountain drink on Nov. 11.
Hard Rock Cafe, Universal Orlando CityWalk – Active-duty and retired military members get a free original Legendary Burger on November 11.
IHOP (Multiple Locations) – Veterans and active-duty military get free Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes at participating locations on November 11 from 7am to 7pm.
MOD Pizza, Orlando – Offering a BOGO pizza or salad on Nov. 11 for those who served.
Rainforest Cafe, Disney Springs/Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Veterans get 20% off with valid ID on Sun, Nov. 13.
Rock & Brews (Multiple Locations) – Offering veterans, armed forces, and first responders a free entree from a special menu on Nov. 11.
Rodizio Grill, Orlando – November 7 through November 11, veterans will eat FREE* with purchase of another adult Full Rodizio meal. Proof of Service required.
Sonny’s BBQ (Multiple Locations) – Veterans and active-duty military get a free pork big deal on November 11. Must visit link above to get the coupon.
Tijuana Flats (Multiple Locations) – Offering 50% off one regular-price adult entrée to veterans and active military with a valid ID.
World of Beer (Multiple Locations) – From Monday, November 7th to Friday, November 11th, if you are a Veteran, you will receive a free order of 5 traditional wings with I.D.
Yard House, Orlando – The ICON Park location celebrates veterans and active-duty military with a complimentary appetizer on Veterans Day.
Many establishments require an ID or DD-214 form as proof to receive the above deals.
If you know of a Veterans Day special we missed, please leave the info in the comments.
Thank you to all who have served our country!
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