How Does Disney World Free Dining Compare To The Disney Armed Forces Salute?

13 May 2013 by Steve Leave a Comment

Since Walt Disney World announced a free dining offer last week for dates from 2 through 25 September 2013, I’ve had quite a few questions as whether this is a good deal compared to Disney’s Armed Forces Salute.

And The Answer Is…

It Depends.

Sorry, but there is no cut and dried easy answer, every case is different. There are lots of variables such as, the number in your party (adults and kids 3-9), the length of your vacation, resort level desired (value, moderate, deluxe), and your eating habits on vacation.

Free Dining Specifics

In order to get the free dining added to your room reservation, you need to be paying the full non-discounted rate for your Disney resort room. You cannot combine free dining with the Disney Armed Forces Salute room discounts. And you must purchase (with your room) at least a 2-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket for everyone in your room, at the full general public rate.

I Called In The Expert

I touched base with Amy from Ears of Experience on this one. Ears of Experience is my recommended Disney travel agent. Amy Said:

“General speaking larger parties and or those staying for longer periods of time will save with the free dining deal. Those there for shorter trips are better off with the Disney Armed Forces Salute.”

An Example

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Filed Under: Disney Military Discounts Tagged With: Dining, Disney's Military Salute, Military Discount, Military Discounted Rooms, military discounted tickets, Walt Disney World

Shades of Green’s January 2014 Escape the Frost Special

6 April 2013 by Steve Leave a Comment

Shades of Green the military owned and operated resort at Walt Disney World Florida has announced its Escape the Frost Special, for the end of January 2014

This special includes breakfast in the Garden Gallery for 2 adults and 2 kids under 10.

The rate for room and meals is $119.90 per night with a 4 night minimum stay required.

The applicable dates for the discount are: January 21 – 31, 2014.

How Much Does This Save?

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Filed Under: Shades of Green Tagged With: Dining, Military Discounted Rooms, Shades of Green, Shades of Green Packages

Deck the Palms Special at Shades of Green

11 March 2013 by Steve Leave a Comment

Shades of Green the military owned and operated resort at Walt Disney World Florida has announced its annual Deck the Palms Special

This special includes breakfast and dinner in the Garden Gallery for 2 adults and 2 kids under 10.

The rate for room and meals is $119.75 per night with a 4 night minimum stay required.

The applicable dates for the discount are: November 1st – 7th & 16th – 22nd and December 9th – 18th, 2013.

How Much Does This Save?

The regular prices for the Garden Gallery buffets are

Breakfast: $11.95 adults $5.95 kids 7-9, kids 6 and under free. (drink not included)
Dinner: $14.95 adults $5.95 kids 7-9, kids 6 and under free. (drink not included)

So depending on the age of your kids, if any you’ll receive a value between $53.80 (2 adults with or without 2 kids 6 and under) and $77.60 (2 adults with 2 kids 7-9) per day.

It is important to note that if you miss any meals at Shades you will also miss out on the savings. Breakfast is easy, you can have it before leaving, but you have to get back to Shades in time to eat your dinner.

Regular room rates at Shades are:

Room Rates	Category 1	Category 2	Category 3
Standard Room	$95.00	$123.00	$131.00

Note: These are the current room rates and it is not know if Shades will raise rates on 1 October, their traditional increase date.

So as you can see there is potential for a good savings with this discount offer, just make sure you use all the meals.

Call Shades of Green at (888) 593-2242 to make your reservation.

*Deck the Palms is available on standard rooms only on a first come first serve basis. Discount will be taken from applicable room rate based on category. Subject to availability of discounted rate. Modifying reservation may result in change of room rate. Cannot be combined with any other offer. New bookings only.

Information on Shades of Green the Military Hotel on Disney World property

See all the current Shades of Green Discounts and Packages

A Special Note on Shades of Green Discounts: Something to be aware of is that Shades constantly changes the dates and discounts offered of their specials and packages.

Shades of Green Links

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Steve Recommends
Here are my recommendations for products and services I've reviewed that can improve your Disney planning. This is a short list since it only includes my top picks.

Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World - Best WDW Planning book in my opinion

Hidden Mickeys - Kids of all ages will love finding Hidden Mickeys at WDW

Disney World Savings Guide - A great eBook by a former Disney Castmember

Ears or Experience - My recommended Travel Agent, Fee Free, Disney Only, Military Family Owned

YourFirstVisit.net The premier website for first time visitors to Walt Disney World!

Simple Stroller Rentals - Beats WDW's prices, plus they offer a 10% Military Discount

TouringPlans.com - The website of the Unofficial Guides - Crowd Forecasts, Pre-made Touring Plans, plus lots of other detailed info

Disney World Lines iPhone App - Current Crowds, Recommended Parks, Wait Times, & Fastpass Return Times on your iPhone

My Disney Experience - The Official Disney iPhone App

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Filed Under: Shades of Green Tagged With: Dining, Military Discounted Rooms, Shades of Green, Shades of Green Packages

Shades of Green’s Shifting Military Discounts

28 February 2013 by Steve 3 Comments

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

Shades of Green opened it’s doors on 1 February 1994 in what was the Disney World owned Disney Inn previously.

Shades has always set their room rates based upon military pay grades, just like the other AFRCs. There are 3 different price categories.

For most of its history these prices were very attractive compared to Disney resort room rates.

Enter The Armed Forces Salute

In 2009 Disney began their almost constant offering of steeply discounted rooms to the military as part of their Armed Forces Salute. This new discount began to undercut the low rates at Shades of Green. Shades responded by beginning to offer their own discounts.

Shades offers long, mid, and short term discounts, which are announced periodically through the year.

Shifting Discounts

Over the last year or so Shades has begun to alter their discounts from what they initially announce.

They will make an initial announcement with the dates and discount details, but as rooms fill up they will start altering the offer in different ways.
They will reduce the discount percentage. For example, the initial 40% off will shrink to 30% or 20%
They will reduce the dates the discount is offered, a full month offer is suddenly only available for a week and a half.
A percentage off offer for all categories will be changed to a dollar value per night which is above the original percentage off for category 1 members