I want to share with you the state of the internet and what’s happening to your favorite independent websites. Originally Published 1 June 2024. Update 1 September 2024: Mid August Google began rolling out a search algorithm update that they claimed would help small independent websites. Since then the traffic to this site has decreased […]
Shades of Green – Disney Deluxe Resort Comparison
Welcome to the third installment of the Shades of Green – Disney Resort Comparison Series. This post wraps up my series intended to help you determine the differences between Shades and the Disney Resorts. I hope that you’ll find them helpful. Be sure to post comments and questions below. Also please see How does Shades of […]
Shades of Green – Disney Moderate Resort Comparison
Welcome to the second installment of the Shades of Green – Disney Resort Comparison Series. This is the second post on the differences between Shades of Green and the Disney World resorts, this series is offered in the hope it will help you with your Disney trip planning. Also please see the other 2 posts […]
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 […]
2025 Disney Armed Forces Salute Announced for Walt Disney World
This morning Walt Disney World Announced their 2025 Disney Armed Forces Salute. For full details (where to purchase, and full rules) see my main Disney Armed Forces Salute Page. A Rough Start I was advised last night that the Salute would be announced this morning for WDW. However, all Disney websites have been having major […]
What to Expect on the Day Disney Announces the Disney Armed Forces Salute
While the military anxiously awaits to find out if Disney will renew the Disney Armed Forces Salute for another year, I thought it would be good to review what to expect if and when they do. Salute Renewal History This post is based on my and my readers’ experiences during the previous Disney Armed Forces […]
Walt Disney World’s Minnie Van Service
Here is our post on using Disney World’s Minnie Van Service to get around WDW as well to and from Orlando International Airport. What’s a Minnie Van? Minnie Vans is a Disney-owned and operated ride-hailing service similar to Uber and Lyft, that began operation around Walt Disney World in July 2017. Minnie Vans work just […]
Disney Military Ticket Options for Lightning Lane (2026): What Works at Disney World vs. Disneyland
Here is a rundown of the ticket options available for military families planning a Disney Resort Vacation. Lightning Lane Single-Pass and Multi-Pass are Disney’s advance reservation system for attractions. Military families traveling to Walt Disney World and Disneyland have two military ticket options available to purchase for their vacations. Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets Regular Military Discounted […]
When Will Disney Renew the Disney Armed Forces Salute for 2025?
Will there be a Disney Military Discount next year? Is a question that I begin getting in increasing numbers starting every summer. The Disney Armed Forces Salute Has been announced for Walt Disney World for 2025! See the Announcement Here And now Disneyland has as well. See the Announcement Here This year the […]
The C-141 Starlifter Lives On In WDW’s Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Disneyland’s Soarin’ Over California
Here is a great bit of military and aviation trivia for Walt Disney theme park fans. Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios’, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction has a piece of military aviation history used as a set dressing. When Disney Imagineers are building a new attraction, they will go to the […]
Your 2026 Introduction to Walt Disney World Security – Plus Some Tips
Disney’s theme parks had Bag Checks as far back as I can remember. But since late 2015 metal detectors have been added to the security lineup. On 17 December 2015, literally overnight, America’s theme parks all began using some form of metal detectors. This includes Disneyland in California, Walt Disney World in Florida, Universal’s theme […]
Walk to Disney World’s Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf
Did you know that it is possible to walk between Disney’s EPCOT Deluxe Resort Area and Disney’s Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf Course? It is possible to walk from EPCOT’s Deluxe Resort area to Walt Disney World’s original mini golf course! In fact it is possible to walk to Fantasia Mini Golf from each […]
Will There Be a 2025 Universal Orlando Freedom Pass?
There is a lot of curiosity in the US Military Community about the availability of the Universal Freedom Pass for 2025 Will There Be a 2026 Universal Orlando Freedom Pass? 2025 Universal Orlando Resort 2025 Freedom Pass Info I have received several questions about 2025 just this week! Although it is really too early […]
Disney Springs Military Discounts 2026 – Dining & Shopping Savings for Military Families
Did you know that there are Military Discounts available for you on Dining, Merchandise, and Entertainment at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs? Disney Springs is Walt Disney World’s shopping and entertainment complex. There you’ll find great dining options, many merchandise stores (Disney and others), as well as entertainment venues. See our list for California’s Downtown […]
Beat the Lines – Mobile Order at Walt Disney World Counter Service Restaurants
Waiting in line for Walt Disney World Attractions is a given. But, waiting in line to eat doesn’t have to be! The Solution My Disney Experiences App Mobile Order! Here is a portion of the Flame Tree Barbecue Menu. When you use Mobile Order your order will print out ahead of all the people standing […]
Pre-Purchase Disney Military Theme Park Tickets at Shades of Green
Disney’s Theme Park Reservation System requires linked tickets in order for you to make reservations. The Problem Theme Park Reservations You need a linked ticket in your My Disney Experience account in order to make your Theme Park Reservations. If you wait to purchase your tickets after arrival, you may miss out on your desired […]
Walk Through America’s History In Disney’s Liberty Square
Welcome to another installment of my Patriotic Disney Series. This time let me show you around Liberty Square. Walt Disney loved America so much that much of his work paid tribute to the American Spirit. Many of Walt’s live action movies took place during the early years of our country, as did many of his […]
Walt Disney World Room View Categories – Do They Matter at Value and Moderate Resorts?
Walt Disney World has numerous room categories at all of their Resort Hotels. In this post we’ll look at which matter and which don’t at the Value and Moderate Resorts. There are many different room categories at the various resorts, and they all have a corresponding price point. The goal of this post is to […]
Run Like Royalty: The Disney Princess Half Marathon Experience
Ah, the Disney Princess Half Marathon – where dreams dash across the pavement, and every stride sparkles with a touch of magic! Imagine a race where fairytales come to life, and you’re not just running; you’re embarking on a gallant quest through the enchanting realms of Disney. It’s an event where every participant is royalty, […]
Disney World’s EPCOT Coffee Guide
Did you know that once upon a time Walt Disney World was criticized and often the butt of jokes for a lack of available coffee? And what coffee they did have was terrible! Those days are long behind us where hot magic bean water is more abundant than any other drink in the Disney Parks. […]
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board Discusses Shades of Green Pedestrian Bridge
Board members of Governor DeSantis’ Central Florida Tourism Oversight District that replaced Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District recently discussed pedestrian access for Shades of Green guests. The Shades of Green Issue In April 2023, Walt Disney World began a multi-year construction project on the roadway that runs in front of the Shades of Green Resort, […]
Shades of Green’s New Joke of a Discount
Shades of Green has announced a new discount that has to be a joke! This discount that they are calling the 30th Anniversary Beat the Heat Special is only available for 2 days!!! This Special is currently for 30% off room and breakfast. The current discount rate of this offer is 30% off of the […]
New Walt Disney World Resort Room Perk in 2025
Disney World has announced a new perk for their Resort Hotel guests in 2025! When you reserve a Disney Resort room in 2025 you will receive a Free Disney Water Park Entry on your check-in day! This applies to both Packages and Room Only Reservations on a per reservation basis. Meaning if you have 2 […]
Shades of Green Resort Walt Disney World Benefits
When Military families stay at Shades of Green Resort on Walt Disney World property, they are eligible for many of the same benefits that those staying at a Disney World-owned resort are eligible for (but not all!). This list has both grown and shrunk over the years. So, let’s get right to the list… Walt […]
Shades of Green Savings in October Special 2024
Shades of Green has announced their Savings in January Special for 2025. This Special is currently a room and breakfast discount. The current discount rate of this offer is 15% off of the regular rate for Standard Rooms. If you are planning on a January trip next year, snag this rate now before it changes!!! […]