Did you know that Sergeant Donald Duck Served in the Army during World War 2? Though every character was free game, Donald Duck stood out as a favorite to represent the American way: hard working and angry! He appeared in many shorts and propaganda videos, and actually is the character who appears in more military […]
How Many Miles Do You Walk at EPCOT? (2026 Guide to Distances, Loops & Shortcuts)
Walking Around one of Walt Disney World’s Biggest Theme Parks is the Ultimate Vacation Trek. EPCOT is my favorite Walt Disney World Theme Park! But many people wonder how much walking they will have to do. It’s also a very big one with lots of walking required. Disney’s theme parks require full days of walking, […]
Shades of Green Evergreens Sports Bar Closed for Updates in August 2022
Shades of Green’s Evergreens Poolside Sports Bar will be closed for Updates 29-31 August 2022. Evergreens is Shades of Green’s popular poolside location to get a cool drink or something to eat while relaxing at the Mill Pond Pool. The Sports Bar will be closed from 29 to 31 August “to make some changes to […]
The Orlando Navy MWR Tickets and Travel Office
Located right next to Orlando International Airport, the Orlando Tickets and Travel Office sells Military Discount Tickets for Orlando Theme Parks and Other Area Attractions. Very few know that this MWR location is here in Orlando! ITT Ticket Office Navy MWR Orlando also maintains an ITT Ticket Office just inside the exchange entrance. Hours: Monday – Saturday […]
History of Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle
There has been a lot of talk surrounding Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World since the start of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Whatever your thoughts are on the color change and the addition of the golden ribbons and 50th Anniversary banners, Cinderella Castle has changed a few times over the years. Why Have a Castle? […]
Shades of Green Garden Gallery Marketplace Takeout Closed for Updates August 2022
Shades of Green’s new Garden Gallery Marketplace will be closed for Updates the second half of August 2022. The Garden Gallery Marketplace offers dinner takeout in place of their pre-shutdown Garden Gallery Dinner Buffet. This newish service will be closed from 16 August through 31 August 2022. This does not affect breakfast at the Garden […]
The Crayola Experience a Fun Day Away from WDWs Theme Parks
Located in Orlando’s Florida Mall is The Crayola Experience, and if you have small children, this is a really great place for them to visit and unwind after some magical but exhausting time in the parks. Children of all ages can visit and play, but based on our experience anyone older than 9 or 10 […]
Lunch at House of Blues Orlando at Disney Springs
We recently went to House of Blues Orlando to enjoy lunch on a Disney Springs day with another MilSpouse. But First, Did You Know About Military Discounts in Disney Springs? Walt Disney World has great ticket discounts and hotel room discounts for military members and their families, but discounts end there. There are no military discounts […]
Disney History: Disney and the War Effort
Walt Disney was a patriot through and through, and he loved his country. When America entered the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor the Disney company did everything but suit up and grab a weapon to help with the war. Wartime Footing At the time, the animation studio was riding the high of Snow […]
History in the Magic Kingdom: Museum in the Hall of Presidents
Did you know there is a Museum in Disney World’s Hall of Presidents? You wouldn’t imagine that the place where you can stuff your face with corn dog nuggets, ride thrilling rides, and see your favorite cartoon characters come to life would also have a museum of American history, but it does! The Hall of […]
Taking the Kids to Disney While the Service Member is Deployed
Deployment is hard on the whole family! The service member is separated from everyone and everything they know and love, the spouse who’s at home is trying to hold everything together, and the kids are just playing a balancing game to figure out how they feel about the whole situation. For the last million months, […]
The Best Rooms at the Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World
Shades of Green, the US Military’s Armed Forces Recreation Center at Walt Disney World allows you to make room requests when you reserve your room. This post will guide you in deciding if you’d like to make a request and what to ask for if you do. One of the things that you might request […]
Shades of Green Resort WiFi for Disney Lightning Lane and Virtual Queues
Shades of Green Resort the Armed Forces Recreation Center at Walt Disney World provides Free WiFi to their resort guests. However the service isn’t that great! In room WiFi speeds are very low. This could impact your ability to: Make Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass Purchases Sign Up for Virtual Queues When trying to make […]
Minnie Van Service Returning to Walt Disney World!
Walt Disney World has announced that the Minnie Vans private vehicle service is returning 29 June 2022! Minnie Van service stopped when Walt Disney World shut down in March 2020 and has not yet returned. In the early months after March 2020 Disney World said through official channels that the Minnie Van Service would be […]
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Returns to Walt Disney World Resort This Fall
Walt Disney World has announced that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be returning this Fall! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will returning to Magic Kingdom Park this fall during the resort’s 50th Anniversary celebration! This fall, ghosts and ghouls of all ages are invited to don their favorite costumes and celebrate all things haunted during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Taking […]
Changes to Genie+ at Walt Disney World for 2022 and 2023
Walt Disney World will no longer sell Genie Plus as part of a ticket. Disney has announced that starting 8 June 2022 at Walt Disney World Disney Genie+ will only be purchasable via the My Disney Experience App on the day of use! That means that you will no longer be able to purchase Genie+ […]
Why Stay at Disney World’s Shades of Green?
Shades of Green is the Walt Disney World Resort for Military Families! This military owned and operated resort is an Armed Forces Recreation Center just like the ones that you may be familiar with overseas. Military families are able to stay right on Walt Disney World property for reasonable prices. Which leads me to my […]
Sunshine Flyer Review
I recently had the chance to try the Sunshine Flyer Airport Transportation Service and here is my review. The Sunshine Flyer is promoted as a unique travel experience, it operates between the Orlando International Airport (MCO) and all hotels on Walt Disney World property. Updated 14 July 2023 – Mears Connect and the Sunshine Flyer […]
Walt Disney World Totally Drops Mask Mandate
Masks are no longer required on Disney World’s Buses and Monorails! 19 April 2022 – Walt Disney World has announced that “Given recent guidance and trends” (meaning a court order) they are dropping the mandatory use of masks on their monorail and bus fleets! These 2 modes of transportation were the last vestiges of WDW’s […]
New Disney World Discount for Disney+ Subscribers
Disney World announced a new discount for Disney+ Subscribers today. 5 April 2022 – Just this morning Disney World offered a summer through fall discount to Disney+ subscribers, doing so even before discounting that timeframe for WDW Annual Passholders as is their standard practice. This is quite frankly a slap in the face to passholders, […]
Use Your Military Star Card at Shades of Green
Military Families can now enjoy the magic of Walt Disney World vacations with the help of the Military Star Card. Shades of Green the Military Only resort located right on Walt Disney World property now accepts the Army & Air Force Exchange Service administered credit card. The Military Star card can be used for your room […]
Can I Use a Disney Gift Card to Buy Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets On Base or at Shades of Green?
This post is part of our Frequently Asked Question Series in the Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket 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.
Your Guide to Orlando International Airport
If you are flying to your Walt Disney World vacation, you’ll be transiting Orlando International Airport. Here is our guide to navigating the airport as smoothly as possible plus an overview of all that the airport has to offer. Note: there is an airport that calls itself “Orlando” Sanford International Airport. It is not in […]
Using Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans at Walt Disney World
Using Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans can be a great option for getting around Walt Disney World! We use these Ride-Hire Services in certain circumstances during our Walt Disney World vacations. They are a great addition to the other Transportation Options that are available for free. Let’s get right into it, first with the basics, […]
Choosing Your Walt Disney World Resort
Choosing your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel can be one of the biggest decisions you make during your vacation planning. This post is to help you with your decision-making process. We will go over the various factors that go into making your decision and give you a few tips and suggestions along the way. Note […]