Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World - Military Disney Tips Blog (2024)

27 December 2023 by Steve Bell 24 Comments

The Shades of Green Resort is an Armed Forces Recreation Center Resort located right on Walt Disney World property near Orlando Florida.

Here you will find very affordable military room rates for your Disney vacation as well as a Ticket Office selling Disney World and local area military discount tickets.

Shades of Green Resort

At Shades of Green you will find all of the amenities that you’d expect at any very nice resort destination: a selection of restaurants, recreational options, paid self parking, bellhop service, a spa, fitness room, two heated pools, free Wi-Fi, and self-service laundry facilities, plus a military discounted ticket sales office and mini Exchange.

I’m often asked by people whether staying at Shades of Green will be like staying at billeting on base and nothing could be further from the truth! Shades of Green is a well-maintained first-class resort.

The resort was originally built, owned, and operated by the Walt Disney World Company under various names. But since 1994 it has been an Armed Forces Recreation Center.

Shades of Green is a wonderfully spacious hotel. It was closed for remodeling and expansion from 2002-2004 and has 586 of the largest standard resort rooms on Walt Disney World property, as well as eleven family suites which sleep from six to twelve. The resort has undergone several guest room refreshes since 2004.

Shades of Green is a self-sustaining resort, no outside/taxpayer funds are used in its operation or upkeep. Shades of Green is a DoD facility and as such has strict ID requirements.

Shades of Green is dedicated to serving the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services community, their families, other eligible Department of Defense employees, and guests that they sponsor for magical vacations.

At Shades of Green you will find all of the amenities that you’d expect at any very nice resort destination: a selection of restaurants, recreational options, self and valet parking, bellhop service, spa, fitness room, two pools, free Wi-Fi, and self-service laundry facilities, plus a military discounted ticket sales office and mini Exchange.

I’m often asked by people whether staying at Shades of Green will be like staying at billeting on base and nothing could be further from the truth! Shades of Green is a well-maintained first-class resort. It has 586 of the largest standard resort rooms on Walt Disney World property, plus eleven family suites.

See:

• Shades of Green compared to a Disney Value Resort
• Shades of Green compared to a Disney Moderate Resort
• Shades of Green compared to a Disney Deluxe Resort

Military Members Review and Rate Shades of Green

The History of Shades of Green

Shades of Green Eligibility

Not just anyone can stay at Shades of Green! Eligibility to stay at the resort is limited to the U.S. Military Community and their supporters.

• Armed Forces and their Families
• Other Uniformed Services (PPHS & NOAA Commissioned Corps.)
• Armed Forces Retirees and their Family Members
• Others Separated from the Armed Forces and their Family Members
• Personnel separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) and Special Separation Benefit (SSB) programs
• Un-remarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status
• Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty
• Other Supporters of the Department of Defense
• U.S. employees of firms under contract to Department of Defense working in the Pacific Region outside the U.S. on Department of Defense Government orders
• Other personnel on official business with Department of Defense as may be specifically authorized by the General Manager or his designee.
• U.S. Department of Defense Civilians and Family Members
• Those eligible for the Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018

For much more on these various statuses and the required IDs/documentation required see Shades of Green Resort Eligibility

Military Room Rates

You’ll find Shades of Green has very reasonable room rates compared with many Disney World Resorts and other hotels in the local area. Rates are based upon rank/pay grade, with junior members paying much less. Rates change each fiscal year on 1 October.

See:

• Shades of Green’s current and next fiscal year room rates

Shades of Green’s rates are constant all year long, except for various specials which they run from time to time. The Disney resorts however have numerous price seasons throughout the year as well as having their prices fluctuate based on the day of the week (Friday and Saturday nights are more expensive). The price for a specific Disney resort room can vary anywhere from 1.4 to over 2 times the cheapest price for that room depending on the time of year.

Shades of Green reservations may be made 365 days in advance of the desired date.

See:

• How Shades of Green’s prices compare to Disney’s

Shades of Green Guest Categories

As mentioned Shades of Green prices their rooms based on your rank, pay grade, or status and they do this by placing you into a guest category. Identification verification is required upon check in.

The Guest Categories are:

Category #1 – E-1 to E-6 and Cadets (E-1 thru E-6 and Cadet sponsored rooms will receive the rate that applies to Category #2.).

Category #2 – E-7 thru E-9, O-1 thru O-3, WO-1 to CW-3, Widows, Medal of Honor Recipients, 100% Disabled Veterans and Category #1 sponsored guests, Category #2 sponsored guests.

Category #3 – O-4 thru O-10, CW-4, CW-5, Active and Retired DoD Civilians, Category #3 sponsored guests,Foreign Military assigned to a U.S. Military installation only, DoD Contractors assigned to a U.S. Military installation only.Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients,Veterans who are former prisoners of war,All Veterans with service-connected disabilities,Individuals approved and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.

Non-Retired Veteranswith an honorable discharge, see our Special Shades of Green page for Veteranswith info on Shades of Green stays in January and September.

Shades of Green Guest Rooms

Shades of Green has 2 wings with guest rooms off of each side of the lobby. The Magnolia Wing was the only guest room wing until 2002-2004 remodel and expansion when the Palm wing was added. The 2 wings are named after the Disney golf course that is on their side of the resort.

• The Magnolia Wing – Has both pools and Evergreen’s Sports Bar just outside the doors. All Poolside Rooms are in this wing. Views are either of the Magnolia Golf Course or the resort’s 2 pools. The Magnolia Spa is located here.
• The Palm Wing – Is attached to the resorts parking structure. Views are either of the Palm Golf Course or the Magnolia Wing and interior landscaping of the resort.

Shades of Green’s Guest Rooms are fairly comparable to the Disney Deluxe Resorts such as the Polynesian. The views from most every room are beautiful. Views throughout the resort are unique and interesting. The lush tropical landscaping provides an incredible backdrop.

Pets are not permitted. Shades of Green is a smoke-free resort.

Shades of Green Standard Guest Rooms

At 480 Square feet, Shades of Green’s rooms are among the roomiest to be found on Walt Disney World Resort property. Guest amenities in Shades of Green’s oversized, standard guest rooms include two queen size beds and a single sleeper sofa. Each standard guest room features either a private balcony or patio, with two chairs and a table.

All rooms include: a table and two chairs, refrigerator, in-room safe, free Wi-Fi, in-room movies/video games, coffee maker, hair dryer, and an iron and ironing board.

Shades of Green Poolside Guest Rooms

Poolside rooms are identical to the standard rooms in size and amenities. The only difference is that their rear sliding door opens towards a view of one of the two pools. You can walk directly from your room’s patio to the pool.

Shades of Green Suites

Shades of Green also offers eleven Family Suite combinations. Five of the family suites sleep up to six guests, five of the suites sleep up to eight guests and one sleeps up to 10.

Because the number of Family Suites is very limited, these rooms are booked early. If you are interested in making a reservation for a Family Suite, I suggest you do so as soon as you confirm your vacation dates, ideally 1 year prior. All but one of the Suites are located in the Palm Wing.

See:

• Shades of Green’s Standard Guest Rooms
• Shades of Green’s Pool View Rooms
• Shades of Green’s Suites
• The Best Rooms at the Shades of Green
• Linking Military Discounted Tickets and Shades of Green Reservations
• Shades of Green Resort WiFi for Disney Genie+ and Virtual Queues

Amenities

Shades of Green Resort Activities and Amenities Overview

Shades of Green has two lovely heated pools, one in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head and ears!

There’s a Hot Tub and Kiddy Splash Area too.

Laundry facilities (open 0900-2300), credit card operated, detergent vending available

Fitness Center (open 24 hours a day)

Two championship golf courses and a 9-hole executive course
Two lighted tennis courts

There is also an AAFES General Store for your sundry and Disney merchandise needs.

Shades of Green is a smoke free resort.

Military Discounted Tickets for Disney and Other Orlando Area Attractions

At Shades of Green’s Ticket Sales Office you may purchase theme park tickets such as, Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets as well as all other varieties of Disney World park tickets, plus tickets for other local attractions like: Universal Studios Orlando, SeaWorld, and many other Orlando Area attractions.

Prices at the Shades of Green Ticket Sales Office are comparable to those that you’d find at your local Base MWR Ticket Office and no sales tax is charged.

Shades of Green’s Ticket Office sells tickets for:

• The Disney Armed Forces Salute
• Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets
• Universal Orlando’s Freedom Pass

See this postfor full info:

• Shades of Green’s Attraction Ticket Sales Office

Shades of Green Dining Options

Shades of Green Dining

You will find several different dining options at Shades of Green. They run the full spectrum of service, from the Java Café counter in the lobby to Mangino’s table service Steakhouse.

Mangino’s Steakhouse – Mangino’s is located on the lower lobby level of Shades of Green. It is without a doubt the best dining option available at Shades of Green.

The Garden Gallery – Rotating themed buffets include a great selection of international cuisine and a fresh fruit, soup and salad bar. Themes include Mexican, Italian, Oriental, and American menus depending on the night. It is also located on the lower lobby level.

Evergreens Sports Bar & Grill – Evergreens is located next to the Mill Pond Pool. Evergreens serves sandwiches, wraps and burgers, salads, pizza, wings, and nachos.

Express Cafe – The Express Café features breakfast sandwiches, pastries, snacks, fresh coffee, tea and more. After breakfast they offer a selection of great sandwiches. The Express Café is located next to the bus loading area.

Java Cafe – The Java Café is located in the lobby. They serve fresh Starbucks coffee and assorted pastry items, a variety of flavors of handmade ice cream cones and Sundaes, and adult beverages (beer, wine, and spirits). Get your morning Joe and a pastry here before you head out to the parks! Open all day.

Chip and Dale’s Deli – (formerly On the Greens Grill) is located near the Magnolia Pool. They serve quick and delicious grilled hot dogs, Italian sausage, hamburgers, sandwiches, quick snacks and cold drinks. Breakfast burritos are also available. Open 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. Note prior to 2016 this location was operated by Shades of Green through a contractor. In 2016 reverted to operation by Disney, still under the On the Greens Grill name. In 2020 the name change occurred and the menu expanded.

See

• Shades of Green Dining Overview

Shades of Green Transportation

Those staying at Shades of Green must find their own way to Shades of Green from the Orlando International Airport. Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine is a bus and limo service that serve Disney World.

Update 14 July 2023 – Mears Connect and the Sunshine Flyer have merged. They are now operating as Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine. The Sunshine Flyer website is still active but the content has switched over to match the Mears site

Shades of Green offers free bus transportation to various locations on Disney World property. Service is offered to the theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the water parks, and Disney Springs.

You can leave your car in their parking garage for a fee and you won’t have to drive to the theme parks.

Parking at Shades of Green is $17.00 per day and Shades guests will pay $30.00 per day to park at Walt Disney World’s theme parks.

Getting around Walt Disney World is easy with free transportation provided by both Shades of Green and Disney (which Shades of Green’s guests are free to use).

Getting Around Disney World for Shades of Green Guests

Walt Disney World Transportation Overview

More Information

Shades of Green often fills up to capacity, in the event this happens you can be placed on their waiting list!

While Shades of Green has the most spacious rooms at Walt Disney World they are not themed in Disney fashion as are the Disney resorts.

Split Stays at Walt Disney World Resorts and Shades of Green

Disney Benefits

Shades, while not a Disney hotel affords some of the same benefits such as Disney’s Resorts:

• Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours
• Making Advance Dining Reservations for your entire trip 60 days prior to your check in day
• Free use of all Disney Transportation

Linking Military Discounted Tickets and Shades of Green Reservations

Shades of Green guests pay $30 per day to park at Disney theme parks and $17 per day to park at Shades of Green itself.

The Shades of Green Resort can be the single most money saving benefit available for military members for their Walt Disney World vacation. We’ve enjoyed each stay at SoG and all of the cost cutting we’ve been able to do through them with overflow rates and discounted tickets through the years!

More Military Discount Information

See these related posts for more discounts and guidance:

• Military Discount on Memory Maker at Walt Disney World
• Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
• Disabled Veterans Are Eligible for Disney Military Discounts
• How to Activate Your Disney Armed Forces Salute Theme Park Tickets
• Buy Military Tickets Long Distance

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