How to Do Disney World on Military Blockout Dates Using Shades of Green

You can still save at Walt Disney World during military blockout dates—you just need a different strategy.

For many military families, Spring Break and Thanksgiving are the only times that work for a Walt Disney World trip. Unfortunately, those are also the times when Disney’s best military deals are often blocked out. That includes not only Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets, but also Disney’s military room discounts at select resorts.

It can feel like the whole trip is off the table—but it’s not. You just need to shift your approach. By staying at Shades of Green, using regular military discounted tickets, and making a few smart planning decisions, you can still have an affordable Disney trip during blackout dates.

If you want help planning a trip around these tougher travel windows, I recommend my Disney affiliate specialists here: The Mouse Experts Military Disney Vacation Specialists.

What Military Blockout Dates Actually Affect

Most people focus on ticket blockouts—but there are really two issues happening at the same time.

• Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are blocked out during peak periods like Spring Break and Thanksgiving week
• Disney military room discounts are also blocked out during many of those same dates

That means you can lose both your biggest ticket savings and your biggest hotel savings at the same time. That’s why a different strategy is needed.

• See the Current Blockout Dates

The Strategy: Shades of Green + Regular Military Tickets

Instead of trying to force the Salute program to work during blackout dates, the better approach is to use what is still available:

• Stay at Shades of Green
• Use regular military discounted date-based tickets
• Save money on food, transportation, and extras

When combined, these can still make a peak-season trip surprisingly affordable.

• Shades of Green Overview
• What is Shades of Green, and who can stay there?

Why Shades of Green Works So Well During Blockouts

Rooms and Pricing

Shades of Green is one of the most stable and predictable lodging options at Walt Disney World. Rates are based on rank, are tax-exempt, and only change once per year on October 1. Unlike Disney resorts, they do not surge during peak seasons.

That makes Shades especially valuable during blackout periods when Disney room prices are at their highest.

• Shades of Green’s Room Rates
• How does Shades of Green compare in price to Disney?

Transportation

Shades of Green provides bus transportation to all four theme parks and Disney Springs. Once you arrive, you can connect to Disney transportation systems like buses, monorails, boats, and the Skyliner.

Keep in mind that the walkway to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is permanently closed, so you’ll rely on buses, driving, or rideshare instead.

Parking Costs (Important for Budgeting)

If you bring a car, here’s what to expect:

• Shades of Green (hotel guests): $17 per day
• Walt Disney World theme parks: $35 per day

Because Shades is not a Disney-owned resort, theme park parking is not included. If you drive to the parks, you’ll pay Disney’s standard parking fee each day.

Strategy Tip: Using Shades buses instead of driving can save you $30 per day in parking.

• Getting to Shades of Green from the Airport
• Shades of Green Transportation
• Shades of Green Transit Navigator

Dining at Shades of Green (Where You Can Save the Most)

Food is one of the easiest places to control your budget during a peak-season trip.

At Shades of Green, dining prices are generally lower than inside the parks. But the biggest savings often come from combining Shades dining with smart in-room planning.

Use the on-site AAFES store to stock your room with breakfast items like cereal, pastries, fruit, yogurt, or breakfast bars. Eating breakfast in your room each morning can save a significant amount over the course of your trip.

You can also buy drinks, snacks, and other items tax-free at AAFES and bring them into the parks, avoiding high in-park prices.

Best approach:

• Eat breakfast in your room using AAFES purchases, the Garden Gallery buffet, or the Express Cafe
• Use Shades dining for some meals
• Limit in-park meals to one per day or snacks

Using these tips can help you economize on your dining spend!

• Dining at Shades of Green

Ticket Strategy During Blockout Dates

If Salute tickets are blocked out, your best option is to use regular military-discounted Walt Disney World tickets. Disney calls these Military Theme Park Tickets.

These are date-based tickets and are discounted from standard Disney pricing:

• 1–2 Day Tickets: About 10% off
• 3–10 Day Tickets: About 20% off

You Must Choose a Start Date

This is critical. When purchasing these tickets, you must select a ticket start date. Your ticket validity window is based on that date.

That means you should plan your trip first, then buy tickets. Picking the right start date can impact both pricing and how your park days are structured.

• Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets

Additional Savings Opportunities

Even beyond tickets and hotels, there are more ways to save:

• Military discounts at Disney Springs restaurants
• Other on-property Military Dining Discounts at Space 220 and The Cake Bake Shop
• Off-property restaurants offering 10–20% discounts
• Fewer park days with more resort or Disney Springs time

A Sample Blackout Week Plan

A balanced trip during a busy week might look like this:

• Day 1: Arrival + Disney Springs
• Day 2: Park Day
• Day 3: Pool + Shades dining
• Day 4: Park Day
• Day 5: Resort hopping
• Day 6: Park Day
• Day 7: Departure

This approach reduces ticket costs while still delivering a full Disney experience.

Wrap-Up

Military blockout dates can feel like a major roadblock, especially when they affect both tickets and Disney resort discounts. But they don’t have to stop your trip.

By combining Shades of Green, regular military discounted tickets, and smart planning, you can still visit Walt Disney World—even during the busiest times of year—without paying full price across the board.

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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

• Shades of Green
• Military Members Review and Rate Shades of Green
• Why Stay at Shades of Green?
• Shades of Green Rooms
• Shades of Green Room Rates
• How to make reservations at Shades of Green
• Shades of Green Resort Activities and Amenities
• Disney Tickets at Shades of Green
• Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
• Shades of Green Fact Sheet and FAQ

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you stay at Shades of Green during military blockout dates?

Yes. Shades of Green is not tied to Disney’s Salute ticket blockouts or Disney military room discounts, making it a strong option during those periods.

Are Disney military room discounts also blocked out?

Yes. Disney military room discounts at Disney Resort hotels typically have excluded dates during peak travel periods.

Can you still get military discounted tickets during blockouts?

Yes. Regular military discounted date-based tickets are usually still available even when Salute tickets are blocked out.

Do you have to choose a start date?

Yes. These tickets require you to select a start date, and your usage window is based on that date.

How much is parking at Shades of Green?

Parking for Shades of Green hotel guests is $17 per day.

How much is Disney World theme park parking?

Standard parking at Walt Disney World theme parks is currently $30 per day.

How can you save on food during blackout dates?

You can save by eating breakfast in your room using AAFES purchases, eating some meals at Shades of Green, and limiting in-park dining.

How To Save Money on Disney Military Blockout Dates

1. Check if your dates fall within Salute and Disney room discount blockouts
2. Book a stay at Shades of Green
3. Purchase regular military discounted date-based tickets
4. Select your ticket start date carefully
5. Use Shades transportation to reduce parking costs
6. Stock your room using the AAFES store
7. Eat breakfast in your room and limit in-park meals
8. Plan a mix of park and non-park days