US military has its own private resort at Walt Disney World (2024)
Atop an artificial rock formation, the flags of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard flap in the breeze outside Shades of Green, a Department of Defense-owned resort for military members and their guests on the property of Walt Disney World. Inside, the clubhouse has a hunting-lodge feeling with exposed roof beams, hewn stone and a fireplace. (Courtesy of Shades of Green)
Atop an artificial rock formation, the flags of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard flap in the breeze outside Shades of Green, a Department of Defense-owned resort for military members and their guests on the property of Walt Disney World. Inside, the clubhouse has a hunting-lodge feeling with exposed roof beams, hewn stone and a fireplace. (Courtesy of Shades of Green)
The main staircase at Shades of Green encircles a two-story-tall rock outcrop with waterfalls plunging through it. Shades of Green is a U.S. Department of Defense-owned resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., near Orlando, at Walt Disney World. (Courtesy of Shades of Green)
A standard room at Shades of Green sleeps five, with two queen beds and a sofa sleeper. At an average of 450 square feet, Shades of Green's rooms are among the roomiest to be found at Walt Disney World Resort. Each standard guest room features either a balcony or patio that overlooks the lush tropical grounds. Shades of Green also offers 11 family suite combinations. Five sleep up to six guests and six sleep up to eight guests. Because the number of family suites is limited, they reserve quickly. (Courtesy of Shades of Green)
The main pool at Shades of Green is in the shape of Mickey Mouse's head and ears. Here children will find a splash area and slide as well as a dry playground. The pools at the resort are lightly used during the day, making them a great place for a park-weary parent (or child) to relax. Shades of Green is located in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., near Orlando, at Walt Disney World. (Courtesy of Shades of Green)
Wouldn’t it be nice to have your own, private resort in the midst of “The Happiest Place on Earth”?
You do if you’re a member of any branch of the U.S. military. That’s according to Edward fa*gan, general manager of Shades of Green, a U.S. Department of Defense-owned resort on the grounds of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.
“Disney is a place where dreams come true,” fa*gan said. “It’s the number-one family tourist destination in the world. In its midst we have a beautiful resort. Every member of the military owns this resort. This is something that is provided by the U.S. military as a thank you for your service.”
Like other Armed Forces Recreation resorts worldwide, Shades of Green exists to give American troops and their families a place to enjoy rest and relaxation within the military community. The setting is 27 acres nestled between two PGA championship golf courses. The resort features a lodge-like clubhouse, heated pools and water slides, tennis courts, a poolside sports bar, video arcade, fitness facility, spa (offering makeovers for would-be princesses and pirates), fine and family dining, wedding facilities and indoor parking. The feeling is expansive, family oriented and carefree, and the setting is tropical, with rooms featuring balconies or patios with sweeping views of -- as the name implies – lots of green.
“For somebody who just got 13 inches of snow at home, this is a way to get a change of scene,” said fa*gan. “Here, there’s no question that you’re in a tropical environment. We get generations of vacationers, from enlisted to officers to retirees.”
Although the green in the resort’s name originally came from the shades of green in the camouflage uniforms of all services when the Army bought the resort, there’s another kind of green that is very much in focus: the cost of a family vacation to Disney World and its adjoining parks. Since 2007, the cost of one-day adult tickets for Walt Disney World in the off-peak season has increased 51 percent, to $113, according to the Los Angeles Times. Add the cost of tickets for each family member to the expense of meals, lodging, parking and souvenirs over several days and a vacation at the Disney properties in Orlando can quickly get into many thousands of dollars.
Shades of Green promotes itself as a more affordable alternative, with discounted park tickets and free transportation to the parks. The resort also offers an AAFES store; a gift shop offering souvenirs at lower-than-Disney prices; parking for $7 a day and frequent meal-and-room specials. Room rates are tiered according to rank, starting at $109 for a standard room for E1-E6 and cadets. Lodging-and-meal deals are offered frequently.
“It’s possible to find a deal in Orlando that would match our room rates,” said fa*gan, “but you wouldn’t be in the heart of the Disney property, and that adds the time and expense of driving and parking. And you wouldn’t be vacationing in a secure environment with like-minded people, and in a resort tailored to meet the needs of Wounded Warriors.”
Steve Bell, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant from Dayton, Ohio, has stayed at Shades of Green about 20 times since the year 2000. Some of the visits have been on family vacations, but most were for research as owner and blogger at http://www.militarydisneytips.com, where he has provided Disney discount information by military, for military since 2008. He has spent thousands of hours comparing military discounts at Disney properties, including those offered at Shades of Green. He said the resort can offer big savings, especially for those in the lower enlisted ranks, and at peak times of year, when room rates at other resorts at Walt Disney World spike. Room rates at Shades of Green remain the same year-round.
“One of the things I love about staying at Shades of Green is the way the guests interact with each other,” said Bell. “At Disney resorts, others just pass you by, but at Shades, others greet you in a friendly manner or even strike up conversations -- after all, we are all part of the same big family! It usually starts with ‘Where are you stationed?’ and ‘Where have you been?’ Disney is the perfect place for the military family to de-stress and forget about the real world. When you’re there, you aren’t thinking about the deployment you have coming up next month -- you’re just thinking about Disney.”
The resort’s beginnings go back to 1994, when the U.S. Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation department leased a Disney golf resort, thus establishing the only Armed Forces Recreation Center in the continental U.S. It was named Shades of Green to represent the services. MWR entered into a 99-year-lease with Disney and purchased the resort building in 1996. Disney still owns the land upon which it sits.
In its first years, the resort’s popularity caused it to fill to capacity early and often. Reservations were hard to get in busy seasons, with the waiting list sometimes as long as a year. So in 2002 the resort closed for almost two years for a $50-million remodel and expansion that included more guest rooms and family suites, meeting space, additional dining and more amenities. It reopened in March 2004 with 586 guest rooms, a new Italian restaurant, a gym and roomier ticket sales and gift shop areas.
In September, the resort will begin a second renovation — this one a $50-million room renovation of its Magnolia Wing, located in a part of the hotel that was built in 1971. The redo, which is scheduled to continue for 18 months to two years, will not be at taxpayer expense -- Shades of Green is self-sustaining; no outside funds are used in its operation or upkeep.
Aside from the update, the resort’s future involves a greater effort to reach out to new recruits and retirees.
“A family might visit four to five times in a lifetime – as a single service member, parent with children, and retiree,” said Annette Zeno, director of sales and marketing for the resort. “Shades of Green and Central Florida are the prefect destinations for military families of all generations to enjoy and create memories that will last a lifetime.”
WAYS TO SAVE SOME GREEN- Shades of Green, one of five Armed Forces Recreation Centers worldwide and the only one in the continental U.S., is a resort serving members of the U.S. Armed forces and their guests. It welcomes military members on active, reserve and National Guard duty, retirees and Dept. of Defense civilians. It is located in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., near Orlando, at Walt Disney World. Room rates are tiered according to rank, starting at $109 for a standard room for E1-E6 and cadets. For room rates, see www.shadesofgreen.org/roomrates.htm.
- A standard room sleeps five, with two queen-size beds and a sofa sleeper. At an average 450 square feet, Shades of Green’s rooms are among the roomiest to be found at Walt Disney World Resort. Each standard guest room features either a private balcony or patio that overlooks the tropical grounds. Shades of Green also offers 11 family suite combinations. Five family suites sleep up to six guests and six sleep up to eight guests. Because the number of family suites is limited, these rooms reserve quickly. The resort offers package deals including meals and lodging by season.
Shades of Green has guest rooms designed to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, plus larger elevators, bus transportation with lifts, and square poolside tables to accommodate wheelchairs.
- Disney is promoting a special “Salute” discount for active or retired members of the U.S. military. Choose between a four-day ticket for $209 and a five-day ticket for $224. Each includes an option to come and go each day of the ticket from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The tickets are available at Shades of Green’s Ticket and Attractions office (email ticketinfo@shadesofgreen.org) and at U.S. military bases.
- Shades of Green provides free bus transportation during park hours to the Walt Disney World Resort Transportation Center, which allows guests to hop on a monorail to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot. Buses are also available to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. Ramps and lifts are available.
Round-trip shuttle transportation from Shades of Green to Universal Orlando costs $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 and up (children under 4 ride free). Orlando is the home of Sea World and many other Orlando-area attractions; discounted tickets can be purchased through Shades of Green’s Ticket and Attractions Office.
- The resort’s Survivors’ Family Discount Program provides a 50-percent discount off normal room rates for Gold Star families, or those who have suffered the loss of an active-duty family member. For complete information on the resort, tickets to attractions, visit www.shadesofgreen.org.
- Other Armed Forces Recreation Centers include the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; the Dragon Hill Lodge in Seoul, South Korea; and the Hale Koa Hotel in Fort DeRussy, Hawaii. For information, go to www.armymwr.com/travel/armed-forces-hotels-resorts.
Enjoy your military benefits and the worlds of new adventures that await you and your family. Located on the grounds of Walt Disney World Resort outside Orlando, Florida, Shades of Green
Shades of Green
Shades of Green is a resort owned by the United States Department of Defense (DOD) in the city of Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando, Florida on Walt Disney World Resort property. It is one of five Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) resorts and a part of the military's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program (MWR).
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Shades_of_Green_(resort)
Shades of Green is a military owned and operated resort located right on Walt Disney World property. It is one of the worldwide Armed Forces Recreation Centers. Military families can stay at Disney World in Shades' deluxe rooms at substantially less than they'd pay at comparable Disney resorts nearby.
Disney's Armed Forces Salute: All active and retired military personnel are entitled to one multi-day free admission park ticket from Walt Disney World. While only the service personnel can get the free tickets, additional tickets are available for family members at deep discounts.
The hotels offer military family rates of up to 20% off. The discount is available to active and retired U.S. military personnel, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves.
Active-duty and retired military personnel or their spouses can get significantly discounted Disney Military Promotional Park Hopper Tickets, which cost $349 for four days or $369 for five this year. Depending on the time of year, that can be much less than what other guests pay for three days at one park per day.
Through Disney's Armed Forces Salute program, military personnel can get discounted tickets to Disney theme parks. These deals are good for all military members, including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired military and spouses.
As a gesture of appreciation for the service and sacrifice of military personnel, Sea World invites U.S. Military Veterans, retired veterans, and retirees who have honorably served to enjoy complimentary admission. This offer extends to the Veteran and up to three guests.
Onlike the Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket Discount, there is no limit on the number of times that you can use the Room Discount! This applies to both Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort. Unlimited stays at both throughout the Salute offer (except during Blockout Dates).
Yes, the Disney World military discount tickets can be purchased for friends and extended family. However, the service member or spouse must be there with them, at least on the day they are activated.
The 504,000-square-foot, 1,000-room Fort Lee Lodge, built to house soldiers training at Fort Lee's Army Logistics University, began serving troops in late December after being under construction for two years. It is the largest such lodging facility in the U.S. Army.
Members on Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard and Cadets of Armed Forces Academies.
Absolutely.You will be asked to provide a valid military I.D.card to access Shades of Green property and to purchase your tickets at the Shades of Green Attraction Ticket Sales Office.
Is there a military discount for park tickets? Yes, there is a military discount at Disney World for theme park tickets, however it's not always the same year-to-year. Here's the lowdown on discounted tickets for military personnel and their family at Walt Disney World theme parks in 2023.
Disneyland Resort Military Promotional Tickets 2023
3-Day ticket with Park Hopper – $245. 3-Day ticket with Park Hopper and Genie+ – $320. 4-Day ticket with Park Hopper – $280. 4-Day ticket with Park Hopper and Genie+ – $380.
Unfortunately, while Disney offers great military discounts on their resort rooms and theme park tickets, they do not offer any military discounts on dining!
1-day tickets range from $109 - $189. Price varies based on park and date selected. At this time, the lowest price for a 1-day ticket can be found in August and September 2023 and 2024. Can add the Park Hopper option, Water Park and Sports option or Park Hopper Plus option.
Eligible service members include active duty military, reservists, retired veterans (with 20+ years of service), and 100% total and permanent, service-connected disabled veterans. If your father is eligible to purchase Disney Military Salute Tickets, he can purchase up to six Theme Park tickets per year!
The member or spouse must be present at Disney with their whole party to activate the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets. The only tickets that you can buy for someone else (friends, family, dependent children going without you) are the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets.
Service members and their families can use Space-A flights – formally known as Military Airlift Command or MAC flights – to travel around the country and world at a reduced cost or for free.
All U.S. active-duty military and drilling reservists, including National Guardsmen, are eligible for one complimentary admission yearly to SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - and up to three direct dependents, too!
Does Universal Studios offer a military discount? Yes! Universal Studios offers a military discount of $3 off their ticket prices to those who present a military or US Government ID at the ticket booth. For those who pre-purchase their tickets at Military Ticket Offices, more discounts are available.
Disney does not give you free admission on your birthday but they do give you special treatment, free food, and other perks. Let's take a look at the benefits of celebrating a birthday at Walt Disney World Resort. Ready to celebrate your birthday at Disney World?
Subject to certain exceptions, 4-Day and 5-Day Disney Military Salute Tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort are not valid until activated by the Eligible Services Members (or their spouse) at a Walt Disney World theme park ticket window.
When staying at a Disney Resort hotel, the standard room rate includes the first two Guests over the age of 18 years and any Guests under the age of 18 years. There is a small fee associated with including more than two adults that varies based on the category of the Disney Resort hotel.
Yes.Spouses and next of kin can register for the discount even if the military member wasn't the Account Owner or Account Manager. You can use the DD Form 214 when validating eligibility for the military discount.
Walt Disney Productions created their first military insignia in 1933 and created many public information and training films during the war years. Disney also created more than 1,200 unit insignia during World War II for all branches of the U.S. armed forces.
Service members, veterans with a service-connected disability, retirees, and their family members can stay in military billeting on a space-available basis on most U.S. military bases around the world. The DoD Lodging website has links to the Air Force, Army, and Navy lodging policies.
Temporary lodging facilities: $67 to $158. Previously, single rate of $77. Visiting officer quarters/visiting quarters: $67 to $149. Previously, single rate of $70.
Eligible Patrons include active duty Army, Department of the Army civilian employees, US Army Retirees, and members of the Army National Guard or Army Reserve (18 years or older). Family Members of the above groups, 18 years or older with a military/Government ID card are also eligible.
Veterans with a 100 percent disability rating receive the maximum monthly, tax-free compensation available. Depending on the circ*mstances, a Veteran with a 100 percent disability rating receives monthly compensation of $3,106.04.
The color green has a deeper implied meaning associated with phrases like “the green light,” which most people associate with moving. In the Army, it means moving forward against adversity and oppression of all kinds.
Shades of Green's guests are allowed to participate in Walt Disney World's Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours programs. Shades of Green guests are be eligible for the new Early Entry benefit that replaces Morning Extra Magic Hours, which ended when Disney World closed for covid in 2020.
Sponsoring a room means allowing family and friends to stay at Shades of Green at the same low rates even though they are not eligible to stay there on their own. Each eligible individual may sponsor up to 2 rooms in addition to their own for a total of 3 under their name.
Active duty military personnel traveling on official orders or for pleasure are invited to check extra baggage free of charge (excluding military pet shipments). In some cases, military dependents will also be included.
A: Walt Disney World Resort does not offer senior citizen discounts on tickets, Disney Resort hotels or vacation packages. However, you may wish to check with any senior citizen organizations that you belong to, as special offers may be available through those groups.
Disney's Armed Forces Salute: All active and retired military personnel are entitled to one multi-day free admission park ticket from Walt Disney World. While only the service personnel can get the free tickets, additional tickets are available for family members at deep discounts.
Service members, military family members, honorably discharged veterans and all other authorized Exchange shoppers worldwide get 25% off annual Disney+ annual subscriptions when they sign up via ShopMyExchange.com. Military.com provides discount information as a service to our members.
For 2023, Walt Disney World ticket prices start at $109 per person and max out at $189. However, this doesn't include a 6.5% sales tax – or add-on options like Park Hopper, Memory Maker, or Water Park and Sports. With these extras, ticket prices can really add up.
Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased at participating US military sales outlets only by Eligible Service Members (defined below) or their spouses (but not both), for use by themselves and other family members and friends. Valid military identification will be required for purchase and use.
Totally worth it! I used my VetRewards Membership for the first time for prescriptions at CVS and the savings were more than my entire annual membership fee! Thank you Veterans Advantage for bringing us such great partners and being there for Veterans and their families.
The Military Star Card – You can use your Star Card to purchase Disney tickets at Walt Disney Worlds's Shades of Green's Ticket Office. You cannot use the Star Card to purchase Disney tickets anywhere else.
Eligible Patrons include active duty Army, Department of the Army civilian employees, US Army Retirees, and members of the Army National Guard or Army Reserve (18 years or older). Family Members of the above groups, 18 years or older with a military/Government ID card are also eligible.
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