Shades of Green provides Laundry Rooms for guests. Updated 18 August 2023 – After a month and a half long debacle of closing the laundry rooms in both wings of the hotel, the laundry rooms have finally reopened with new machines. For a long time there had been WiFi connectivity issues (for payment processing) for […]
Mears Connect and Sunshine Flyer Merger
There is big news in the Disney World Airport Transportation front today. Mears Connect and the Sunshine Flyer have joined forces. They are now operating as Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine. The Sunshine Flyer website is still active but the content has switched over to match the Mears site. This means that the 2 Disney […]
Shades of Green’s Java Cafe – Get a Good Cup of Joe Before Hitting the Disney Parks
A Walt Disney World morning challenge, you and your family are trying to make the morning rope drop at the Magic Kingdom. You want to be one of the very first to ride Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, and quickly move on to Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s a Small World before your Character Breakfast at […]
Can I use my Walt Disney World Magic Band at Disneyland?
This post is part of our Frequently Asked Question Series in the Disneyland FAQ section. The Disney’s Armed Forces Salute offers huge savings on theme park tickets and resort rooms to those Service Members who are eligible to participate.
GovX Deal on Disney World 4 Park Magic Ticket
The GovX website has a great deal on the Walt Disney World – 4 Park Magic Ticket! The 4 Park Magic Ticket is a special ticket being offered by Disney World through 29 September 2023. The 4 Park Magic Ticket entitles the holder to one visit to each of the following theme parks: – Magic […]
Where to Buy Military Disney Tickets
Military Ticket Purchasing Guide: Save Money On Disney World Tickets Disney Military Tickets can save military members and their families big money at both the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida and the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim California! Welcome to the Military Disney Tips guide to how and where to purchase your military tickets […]
Disney Blocks Popular Monorail Access for Military Families
As of May 1st 2023 Guests staying at Shades of Green, Disney World’s Military Only Resort, no longer have the ability to take the scenic half-mile walk to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort with its easy monorail and boat access to the Magic Kingdom and wonderful dining and shopping venues. The walkway in question dates back to the […]
Disney World Announces Big Changes for 2024
Today Walt Disney World announced some big changes coming for 2024, bringing some more normalcy to the vacation destination. The major announcements today (8 May 2013) are outlined below followed by my comments on how each affects the military community, if it does. There were a couple of other announcement s that don’t really matter […]
Walk from Shades of Green to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Directions from Shades of Green to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort with Pictures! UPDATE: 1 May 2023 – Sadly this walking path has closed permanently! See the legal battle: Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board Discusses Shades of Green Pedestrian Bridge Shades of Green is located within walking distance of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It’s about a […]
Big Change at Shades of Green – Transportation
Shades of Green announced a big change today that effects getting around at Disney World. Lake Buena Vista 4 April 2023 – Starting on 1 May 2023 Shades of Green guests will no longer be able to walk to the Polynesian Village resort via the walkway along the Shades of Green/ Palm and Magnolia Golf […]
Is Shades of Green Tax Free?
If you’re a member of the military or Department of Defense (DoD) and planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, you may be wondering if Shades of Green, the resort exclusively for military members and their families, is tax-free. The short answer is yes, but let’s dive into the details. First, […]
Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
On my most recent trip to Walt Disney World I tried out the Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was fantastic!!! Unlike the free NVG Safari where you watch the animals on the savanna from one of the Lodge’s overlooks using Night Vision Goggles, on the Starlight Safari you get into the back […]
Shades of Green Savings in September Special 2023
Shades of Green has announced their Savings in September Special for 2023. This Special is currently a room only discount. Dates: The current dates of this special are: 1 – 10, 15 – 17, & 22 – 30 September 2023 Discount Cancelled! See why Rates Category 1 guests $138.55 per night stay (E1-E6, Cadet) Category 2 guests […]
Shades of Green’s Shifting Military Discounts
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 the resort that was previously known as the Disney Inn/Disney Golf Resort which was owned by Disney World. (Updated January 2023) Room Rates Shades of Green […]
What percentage is the military discount for Disney World?
Just how much can you save on a Disney vacation with military member discounts? Read on to find out! Active-duty US military personnel, veterans, and their families may qualify for special military admission ticket prices at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, their attractions, and resorts in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California, including Paradise […]
How do I get to Shades of Green?
Here’s all the info that you’ll need if you are bound for Shades of Green, the U.S. Military-owned and operated resort at Walt Disney World, from Orlando International Airport! My family has lots of experience flying into Orlando International Airport. I was stationed in Ohio for many years, and we flew into Orlando several times […]
Walk from Disney’s Polynesian to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC): Route, Time & Tips (2026)
Directions to walk between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), with Pictures! The Polynesian Village Resort is located within easy walking distance of the Magic Kingdom’s Transportation and Ticket Center. This walk is convenient for guests staying at the resort to access the Monorail Station and its EPCOT Line without riding all […]
Disney World Dining Card Promo for Military Families
Walt Disney World just announced a Disney Dining Plan Substitute for 2023! This new, never seen before offer seems to be taking the place of the Free Dining Offers of years past (at least for now). As I did in the past for the Free Dining Offers, I’ll try to guide you in your decision […]
Walk Between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and the Magic Kingdom
Directions to walk between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and the Magic Kingdom, with Pictures! Note the walking path between Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom Park will be temporarily closed beginning Feb. 13, 2024 and is expected to reopen late this spring. The Grand Floridian is located within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom theme park. […]
Disney Veteran Discount and Disney Military Discount Eligibility Guide
Disney Veteran Ticket Discounts and Disney Veteran Room Discounts have always been a complicated subject. This is even more true after 2021 with the new John McCain Defense Authorization Act. In this post we will lay out just what every eligibility group is eligible for. We will cover every possible status, that is a wide […]
Disney Military Ticket Physical Security
What if your Disney Tickets were stolen or lost? Are you prepared? I ask because this recently happened to a MDT reader and their family. They’d arrived in Orlando for their long awaited vacation and stopped at a local grocery store for some supplies. While in the store, their vehicle was broken into and their […]
Shades of Green Fitness Center
The Shades of Green Resort offers a Fitness Center which is open 24/7 for your fitness needs while on your Walt Disney World vacation. Both cardio and resistance equipment are available. Even at the height of my fitness and with the best of intentions, I’ve never exercised more than the first two mornings of any […]
2023 Disney Armed Forces Salute Announced
Announcing the 2023 Walt Disney World Disney Armed Forces Salute! I’m very happy to announce that Walt Disney World has finally released the news that their hugely popular Disney Armed Forces Salute has been renewed for 2023. NOTE: 15 Nov 2022 – The Disney Armed Forces Salute has been officially announced by Disney this morning 15 November […]
Walk from Disney’s Contemporary Resort to Magic Kingdom (2026): Route, Time & Tips
Directions to walk between Disney’s Contemporary Resort / Bay Lake Tower and the Magic Kingdom, with Pictures! The Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower are located within easy walking distance of the Magic Kingdom theme park. This short walk is convenient for guests staying at the resorts to access the park without waiting on or riding […]
The 2023 Universal Orlando Resort Freedom Pass
Universal Orlando Resort has announced their 2023 Freedom Pass, a special year-long pass for military families for one low price! NOTE – The 2024 Freedom Pass has been announced and is available for purchase! The Universal Orlando Resort has continued their Special Military Tickets called the Freedom Pass for 2023. Freedom Passes are like a […]