This month Shades of Green celebrates their 17th Birthday. They have a sign in the lobby reviewing their history at Walt Disney World. Here are some Highlights:
In 1992, after Desert Storm Army MWR placed an ad in the Orlando Sentinel inquiring if anyone in the local business community would be interested in leasing a resort property to the Army. The number of rooms and required amenities, such as a pool, restaurant and lounge were listed. They received 40 responses, it was decided that the offer from the Walt Disney World Company to lease the Disney Inn was the right offer. After negotiations were completed the Shades of Green opened it’s doors on 1 February 1994.
There was long process for deciding what to call the new resort. The new name had to be acceptable to both Disney and MWR. At the time all branches of the military wore some form of green utility/battle uniform, so it was decided to call the resort the Shades of Green to encompass all the services, plus Shades sits between two of Disney’s lush green golf courses with their greens. It seemed the perfect name.
The resort was so successful and popular that MWR decided to purchase the resort in 1996. The huge popularity of the resort caused it to fill to capacity often and early. Reservations were hard to get in busy seasons. So in 2002 the resort closed its doors for almost two years for a total remodel and expansion. During this time Shades of Green guests were housed in Disney’s Contemporary Resort North Garden Wing (now replaced by the DVC Bay Lake Towers). This section of the Contemporary was turned over totally to Shades of Green. They set up their ticket sales office and gift shop in some of the guest rooms. This was a fantastic opportunity, staying in a Disney Deluxe resort for Shades of Green prices.
The resort reopened with much more room and a facelift in March 2004, sporting a whole new guest room wing, a new Italian restaurant, as well as roomier ticket sales and gift shop areas.
In recent years with the economic downturn, Shades has had to innovate and has offered many varied discounts to military members in order to keep their rooms filled in the face of Disney’s steeply military discounted resort rooms.
Where will Shades of Green go from here? It’s hard to know what the future holds. My guess is more varied and improved amenities for their guests, such as the new Magnolia Spa. Shades of Green can’t compete with Disney, so they need to make their special niche even more attractive than it is already.
What are your ideas for Shades of Green’s future? What new amenities would keep you coming back to stay there? Post a comment with your idea!
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As someone that was there for Desert Storm, I am glad to see Disney doing something for our troops. Many times they are neglected upon returning to the states and I think more people and companies should be doing more to show their appreciation for what they do. Way to go Disney!!
We went to the Shades in 1997 while my husband was active duty at Ft Bragg and LOVED it, returning 3 additional times before the disastrous renovation in 2002. We have stayed several times post-renovation & post retirement, always hoping it will improve. While the resort itself is beautiful post-renovation, the quality and service ranges from mediocre to horrible.
Let’s start with the food… Before the renovation The Garden Grill offered a nice buffet or you could order off the menu. After the renovation, buffet only, clearly out of a can. My step daughter, recently returned from her 2nd Iraq tour said she had better food in the chow hall in Iraq. Before renovation there was a little bar area that offered sandwiches and was a nice place for a drink. Afterwards that was gone. Evergreens served decent fresh food. Now it’s microwaved (or at least tastes like it) We walk to the Polynesian for meals.
Before the renovation the staff was well trained and enjoyed their jobs. We learned that some had carried over in transition from Disney operating the resort to the military and it showed. After the renovation, they lost most of the staff because the renovation period was so long. While there are exceptions, most of the staff acts like a typical bureaucrat at the DMV. In this economy I’m sure they can find people who’d like a job. Oh, and the best part? The service gets worse and we get to pay more and more for less! Hey, that’s the way to keep us coming back!
Why all this? Because it breaks my heart to know what this resort once was and could be again. It’s not just the discounts that Disney offers that are hurting the Shades of Green. It’s the same attitude that’s killing the military club system. We are a military family that supports the military first. But I’m also on vacation and want a clean room, good service and a decent meal. If Shades of Green would consistently deliver that, it would be my first and only choice regardless of discounts Disney is offering.
The right management team could start making noticeable changes and stop the bleeding.
Hi Jean,
Thanks for your comments! I see your points, I too have stayed pre and post renovation.
I’m heading off to work this morning, but will reply tonight with my thoughts.
Have a great day!
Steve
My families first visit to Shades of Green and our first multi-day Disney trip was in June 2000, also pre renovation. During the two-year renovation we used the great overflow rates Shades offered to stay at many Disney resorts. Now we just stay at Shades for research, for pleasure and additional research we stay at Disney resorts.
That first trip we were so impressed with Shades, the price, the service, the resort, and to some extent the food too.
We ate a lot in the Disney restaurants that trip but we did have a good meal at Evergreens, very good room service pizza. We were not impressed with the Garden Gallery buffet breakfast though. Our favorite though was back then they had a pastry and coffee cart set up just outside the lobby front door. This was where the busses used to pick you up. When we woke I’d go to the lobby and get these amazing muffins and coffee to bring back to the room while everyone else started getting ready.
Today it is hard to get a good meal at Shades, really Manginos is their best. The Garden Gallery as you say is unimpressive and I recently had a microwaved burger at Evergreens. Also Good luck finding something substantial mid-day.
I too have been rather unimpressed with the general attitude of the staff there but I see this in the Disney Resorts too. I think this is a trend in American society, you see it everywhere, workers don’t defer much to the customer anymore. It frustrates me when walking in a business and a worker doesn’t yield to you while you are walking in their store, just cuts you off rather than letting you pass first.
Shades of Green Dining Info
Anyone else have thoughts either way on this?