Shades of Green – Disney Value Resort Comparison

This is the first installment of the Shades of Green – Disney Resort Comparison Series

Also please see How does Shades of Green compare to Disney in Price and the other 2 posts in the series:

• Shades of Green – Disney Moderate Resort Comparison
• Shades of Green – Disney Deluxe Resort Comparison

Readers often send me questions on the differences between Shades of Green and the Walt Disney World resorts This side-by-side comparison is an effort to help you in your decision-making process.

Military members who use Disney’s Armed Forces Salute room discount receive up to a 20% discount off of regular Walt Disney World Value Resort rates.

Shades of Green is the military-only, military-owned and operated resort on Walt Disney World property. Shades offers great low rates based upon the member’s pay grade.

I hope that you find this post helpful! Be sure to post comments and questions below.

The Resorts

Here are the Disney Value Resorts, most are eligible for up to 20% off of the full price rate are:

• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort  (Pop Century is not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute Discount in 2022)
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (Little Mermaid Rooms at Art of Animation are not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute Discount)

Disney Value Resorts include amenities such as: food courts, pizza delivery to your room, luggage service, swimming pools with hot tub and cast member lead activities, on-site recreation, and bus transportation.

For this comparison, I’ll be using the All-Star Music Resort, but all of the Disney Values are very similar, varying only in the exterior themes and food options in the food courts. Art of Animation has special themed rooms, which cost extra.

Shades of Green includes amenities such as: full-service restaurants, quick-service dining options, limited room service, luggage service, swimming pools and hot tub, an Army-Air Force Exchange Store, discounted ticket sales, and bus transportation.

This is a comparison between the lowest cost room at each resort, a standard view at the All-Star Music and a Standard Room at Shades.

The All-Star Music room in this review is representative of the other All-Star and Pop Century Resorts

Disney’s Value Preferred rooms, identical except for location (proximity to the main building), are available for $15-$20 more per night. All-Star Music also offers Family Suites at a higher rate.

Shades of Green’s rooms come in Standard (rated here), Poolside (identical to the standard room except for the view) for $10 more per night, and Family Suites.

Room – Price

Note: starting in 2018 the Disney Armed Forces Salute room discount rates are not a set 20%. They are “up to” 20%, meaning that depending on your dates you might receive a lower discount amount; the only way to know what your price will be is to call (or have your Travel Agent do it for you).

For this comparison, I’ll be using the maximum 20% Disney Armed Forces Salute discount. Disney adds various sales and resort taxes to their room rates. At Pop Century and Art of Animation, the tax rate is 12.5% and at the All-Stars it is 13.5%

I’ll show the prices for Standard Rooms at both resorts.

Shades of Green – Shades of Green has 3 price categories for the standard room based on your rank/status:

1 October 2024 – 30 September 2025:

• Category 1 – $179.00 per night
• Category 3 – $229.00 per night
• Category 3 – $239.00 per night

1 October 2025 – 30 September 2026:

• Category 1 – $184.00 per night
• Category 3 – $237.00 per night
• Category 3 – $257.00 per night

Category #1 – E-1 thru E-6 and Cadets

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.

Category #3 – O-4 thru O-10, CW-4, CW-5, Active and Retired DoD Civilians.

There is no tax added to these charges. This rate is for double occupancy, it is $2 less for single occupancy and add $15 per extra adults (ages 18+).

Shades of Green’s prices are the same every day of the year, they do not vary like Disney’s do.

All-Star Music – The All-Star Music Resort’s 2025 full rates for a standard room varies from $153 to $305 per night including tax.

When the maximum Disney Armed Forces Salute discount of 20% the rate is applied these rates are reduced to $122 to $244 per night.

This price is for up to 2 people. For each additional adult over 18 there is a $15 per night charge.

For a closer look at the price differences see our comprehensive post on Shades of Green – Disney Price Comparisons.

There are times of the year when Disney’s Value resorts with the maximum Disney Armed Forces Salute are way cheaper than Shades of Green’s Category 1 rates!  And there are times when they are more expensive.

So, you can see it depends on your Shades of Green price category and for Disney the time of year and day of the week, which will be cheaper.

Note: There are times of the year when the Disney Armed Forces Salute is not available at all, these are called blockout dates.

Shades of Green does offer discounts and packages at various times of the year. These vary widely and are often for specific very limited dates and are modified over time or canceled as rooms fill. In this comparison, I’m only comparing the rates available all year long. You should check to see if Shades is offering a discount or package for your dates!

There are other factors such as transportation which affect the bottom line though, so read on.

Room – Size

The All-Star rooms have a maximum of four-person occupancy per room (plus one child under 3 in a crib). While Shades’ offers five-person occupancy per room.

Shades of Green – At 514 square feet the Shades of Green room is the winner on size, hands down. This includes a large bedroom with 2 queen beds, a single sleeper sofa, entry hall, seating area with a small table and 2 chairs, a closet, and large vanity area separate from the shower/toilet area. All Shades rooms have an inside hall, room entrance and a balcony/patio with a table and chairs.

All-Star Music – The All-Star Music room measures in at a much smaller 260 square feet with a bedroom that includes 2 double beds (one platform, one Murphy), a small separate vanity area separate from the shower/toilet area, the vanity area which contains a clothes hanging area and shelf. The All-Star resorts all have outside room entrances from a common sidewalk and no exterior furniture.

Room – Beds

Both resorts have comfortable beds and pillows, as well as great bedding.

Shades of Green – 2 Queen sized beds and a couch that converts to a day bed for one. See how the couch-bed works

All-Star Music – 2 double beds (one platform, one Murphy). The Murphy Bed folds up to create a table and there are 2 chairs

Room – Amenities

Amenities at both resorts were very similar.

Each has complimentary wifi (Shades of Green’s is not very strong or dependable in the guest rooms), flat screen TV’s, mini fridge, coffee maker that uses coffee pods, a safe (Shades’ was good sized, the All-Star Music’s is quite small), iron and ironing board, toiletries, hair dryer, and luggage rack (available on request at All-Star Music).

Both resorts have receptacles for recycling and it is important to note that the All-Star Music room thermostat could not be set lower that 68, a cooler temperature is desirable when returning to the room mid-day in the Florida summer (at least for me)!

Room – Decor

The biggest difference between staying at Shades and a Disney resort is themeing. Shades is decorated like any civilian hotel and could be placed anywhere, worldwide and fit in.

At the Disney resorts, you definitely know that you are at Disney. Some of their decorating is subdued, and some definitely isn’t depending on which resort you are staying in. At the values theming is all outside in big bold icons and bright colors! Inside, you cannot tell the Values’ rooms apart (except for Art of Animation). In all Disney’s recent remodels, they have made many resorts including the Values very generic.

Shades of Green – Many worry that staying at Shades of Green will be like staying in billeting on base, but it definitely is not, the rooms are top notch. The rooms are decorated in greens (to tie into the resort name) with pictures of scenery and plants. The furniture is all good quality. It should be noted that, before the Army MWR purchased the resort from WDW, it was a deluxe Disney resort.

All-Star Music – The rooms have been recently renovated. The furniture is all great quality too. The new Murphy Bed has vastly increased what was a limited sized room. And you can stash all your luggage under the other platform bed if you are a vacation unpacker.

Resort – Dining

Shades of Green – has a variety of restaurants, Manginos Steakhouse (Steaks and Seafood), The Garden Gallery (breakfast and dinner buffets and a la carte), Evergreens Sports Bar & Grill (sandwiches, wraps and burgers, salads, pizza, wings, and nachos), the Express Cafe (counter service breakfast and lunch sandwiches, pastries, snacks), the Java Cafe (Starbucks coffees teas, pastries and ice cream, and Chip n’ Dale’s Deli (grilled hot dogs,, wraps, sandwiches).

The counter service locations are just fine. At the Garden Gallery much of the buffet food comes off the Sysco truck pre-made and is served as is. The food quality and service at Manginos is sub-par to what you’ll find at a Disney table service restaurant. And the food at Evergreens is microwaved and only recommended if there is no other option.

The Garden Gallery can be very busy in the mornings, when everyone is trying to get going to the theme parks at the same time. MDT recommends a coffee and pastry at the Java Café or the Express Café to have while waiting on the theme park bus instead. Or do the same on arrival at one of the theme parks.

You’ll find no food court here as you will at a Disney Value! There isn’t the volume of people to make that necessary.

More on Shades of Green Dining

All-Star Music – There is one dining in option at All-Star Music and all the other Values, the food court. Disney Value Resort food courts are set up with several stations at which you can a get a wide variety of menu items plus a grab and go section. In the morning they carry breakfast fare and then switch over to their rest of the day menus.

The Value food courts can be very loud and hectic in the mornings, when everyone is trying to get going to the theme parks at the same time. Get there by 7 a.m. for a less hectic experience. Open 6 a.m.-midnight,

Pizza and salad Delivery is also available to your room after 5 p.m. There is also a pool bar to enjoy while relaxing by the pool.

Menus on DisneyWorld.com:

• World Premiere Food Court (Movies)
• Intermission Food Court (Music)
• End Zone Food Court (Sports)
• Everything POP Shopping and Dining (Pop Century)
• Landscape of Flavors (Art of Animation)

Resort – Recreation

The recreation options vary quite a bit between the two resorts as Shades used to be a Disney Deluxe resort.

Shades of Green – Shades of Green has two pools, the Mill Pond pool shaped like the Mickey Mouse icon and has a water slide and kids water play area. And the Magnolia Pool which is the quiet pool featuring zero entry, walk in access and a hot tub. Shades of Green has an arcade. There are two lighted tennis courts and the resorts sits in the middle of two of Disney’s golf courses. The clubhouse shares a parking lot with Shades of Green. For the little ones there is a jungle gym/play set (at the Millpond Pool).

All-Star Music – Your recreation options at All-Star Music are the very nice pool and hot tub with cast member led activities, outdoor movies, a playground, and a video arcade.

 

Resort – Transportation 

It really depends on how you travel to your Disney World vacation:

Shades of Green – Guests arriving in Orlando via airline are responsible for obtaining and paying for their own transportation to Shades of Green.

Military Disney Tips has negotiated a Military Discount on Airport Transportation

Those driving to Shades of Green will have to pay $17 per night to park their car at Shades of Green. If you choose to drive your car to the parks, you’ll pay $35 a day for Disney theme park parking.

Shades of Green does have its own small fleet of complimentary buses to take its guests to limited locations on WDW property.

Shades of Green currently offers bus service to:

• Transportation and Ticket Center (Magic Kingdom and Epcot)
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney Springs
• Typhoon Lagoon

Shades of Green’s guests also have free full access to the WDW transportation system, which includes busses, the monorail, and various boat lines.

All-Star Music – As of January 2022, guests arriving in Orlando via airline are responsible for obtaining and paying for their own transportation to Disney Resorts.

Those driving to their vacation at the Disney All-Stars will no longer pay to park.

Parking is free at the Disney theme parks for Disney Resort guests. WDW resort guests have complimentary use of the WDW transportation system, which includes buses, the monorail, and various boat lines.

The All-Star Resorts only have bus transportation available to all Disney World guest areas.

The other Value Resorts, Pop Century and Art of Animation have access to the Disney Skyliner gondola system for transportation to Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios. Buses to Epcot and Hollywood Studios don’t run or can be limited during Skyliner operating hours.

For Airport Transportation check out the Walt Disney World Airport Transportation section of my Transportation Overview Page.

Resort – Amenities

Again Shades stands out as a prior Disney Deluxe in this category.

Shades of Green – Shades features on-site Disney and Orlando area ticket sales (tax-free), an AAFES Store (tax-free souvenirs and sundries), luggage service, two guest laundries, an on-site Gym with cardio and Nautilus equipment, and a full-service Spa.

All-Star Music – Has a Disney resort gift shop (souvenirs and sundries), luggage service, and guest laundry.

Disney – Amenities

Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours

Since October 2021, Disney Resort guests including Shades of Green guests are eligible for the new Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours that replaced Extra Magic Hours.

All guests including Shades of Green guests may enter every Disney theme park early. Disney Deluxe guests and Shades of Green guests may stay late on select days at select Walt Disney World theme parks.

• Early Entry
• Extended Evening Hours

Lightning Lane

All guests can participate in Disney Lightning Lane Single Pass and Multi Pass in-app purchases. Guests staying at Shades of Green, all Disney Resorts, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts can make Lightning Lane Single Pass and Multi Pass selections and purchase their Individual Lightning Lane attractions up to 7 days before their visit, while others will have to wait until 3 days prior.

Disney Lightning Lane Single Pass and Multi Pass Information

Guests staying at Disney Deluxes, Shades of Green, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts can purchase Disney Lightning Lane Premier Pass, while those staying elsewhere cannot.

Disney Lightning Lane Premier Pass Information

Charge to your room privileges – Disney resort guests at all Disney locations, Shades of Green guests, only at Shades of Green.

Magic Bands – Shades of Green Guests will not receive the ability to purchase discounted Magic Bands as part of their reservation (only Disney Resort guests do). You may buy your own from the Disney Store or a WDW gift shop after arrival. Shades guests may then use their bands for their theme park admission and PhotoPass but not for room keys or room charges.

Summary

Deciding which resort is right for your family is a very personal decision, so I’ve tried to present an impartial review of both resorts, listing both the good and the bad.

You’ll need to decide which of these areas/items are the most important for you, cost, amenities, room size, transportation, etc.

I hope that you find this helpful! Please leave a comment below with which resort you’d choose and why.

Shades of Green vs. Disney Value Resorts — FAQ

Which is cheaper: Shades of Green or a Disney Value with the Armed Forces Salute?

It depends on your Shades category and Disney’s date-based pricing. Disney Values swing a lot by season and day of week, while Shades is flat year-round (by category). In some windows—especially midweek, off-peak—All-Star rates with Salute can undercut Shades Category 1; in others, Shades wins. Use the charts on this page to spot your dates.

Do Shades of Green rates include tax?

Shades’ room rates are tax-exempt. Disney resort quotes include hotel tax even after the Salute discount.

When do Shades of Green rates change each year?

Shades updates its fiscal-year pricing on October 1. This page compares FY25 and FY26 against Disney’s 2025 Value pricing.

How big are the rooms?

Shades Standard rooms are much larger (as described on this page) and sleep up to five (2 queens + single sleeper). Disney Value Standard rooms are smaller and typically sleep up to four (plus an infant in a crib); many use a table-to-Murphy bed setup.

What’s the difference in room features and theming?

Shades rooms feel like a traditional, spacious hotel (interior corridors, balcony/patio). Disney Values have exterior corridors and bold, larger-than-life outdoor theming; inside, rooms are function-forward after recent refurbishments.

Can five people sleep in one room?

Yes at Shades (max 5 in a Standard). At most Disney Values, Standard rooms top out at 4 plus an infant; Family Suites at All-Star Music and Art of Animation sleep more but cost more.

How do transportation perks compare?

Shades runs its own buses to TTC (for Magic Kingdom/EPCOT), Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, and the currently operating water park. Disney Values use Disney buses and, at Pop/Art of Animation, the Skyliner to EPCOT/Hollywood Studios. Disney resort guests get free theme park parking; Shades guests pay the current Disney theme park parking rate if they drive.

Do Shades guests get Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours?

Yes. Shades guests are eligible for Early Entry at all parks and Extended Evening Hours on select nights, similar to Disney Deluxe benefits.

What about Lightning Lane timing?

Shades guests can make Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass/Single Pass selections and buy Individual Lightning Lanes on the earlier on-site timeline.

Are Disney  Salute discounts guaranteed?

No. They’re “up to” a percentage and vary by date/resort; blockout periods apply. Always price your exact nights to compare fairly with your Shades category rate.

Does Shades offer additional discounts?

Sometimes, but they’re limited and can change. The comparisons on this page use Shades’ standard rates for a consistent baseline—check Shades directly for any current promos.

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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