After a long day of rope drop, parades, and fireworks, even the most dedicated Disney-goer needs a little downtime. For military families, Shades of Green offers the perfect place to unwind once the park day is over. Here’s a guide to the best spots around the resort to relax, recharge, and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. […]
Cinderella Castle Is Returning to Its Classic Colors—and I’m So Glad
There’s a bit of pixie dust in the air today—and I, for one, am cheering! Walt Disney World just announced that Cinderella Castle will soon be repainted to its original color scheme, removing the pink and gold hues added during the 50th Anniversary makeover. This news is music to my ears. While I understand the […]
Is There a Shades of Green in California at Disneyland?
If you’ve stayed at Shades of Green in Florida, you know what a valuable perk it is for military families visiting Walt Disney World. So it’s natural to ask: Is there a Shades of Green resort near Disneyland in California? Short answer: No. There is no Shades of Green or Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) […]
Military Disneyland Tickets (2026): Armed Forces Salute vs Regular Discounts — Complete Guide
Military Disneyland Tickets (2026): Complete Guide to Discounts If you’re a U.S. military family planning a California trip, good news: Disneyland offers two ways to save—year-round Regular Military Discounted Tickets and the deeply discounted Disney Armed Forces Salute (AFS) tickets. This guide explains eligibility, key differences, where to buy, how Lightning Lane works with military […]
Ultimate Guide to Disney Reservations (Walt Disney World & Disneyland)
Planning a Disney vacation isn’t just about buying tickets—you’ll want to know exactly what to reserve and when. From resort rooms and dining to Lightning Lane and special experiences, a smart booking plan saves time (and sanity). If you’re a U.S. military family, a few specific items—like the Disney Armed Forces Salute and the Shades […]
Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale: Disney’s Adventurers Club in a Glass
If you’re a beer lover at Walt Disney World, there’s a hidden treasure waiting for you: Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion Ale. This African-inspired amber ale pays tribute to the legendary Adventurers Club, the beloved Pleasure Island hangout that still has a cult following to this day. It’s not just a drink—it’s Disney history in a pint […]
Can You See Magic Kingdom Fireworks from Shades of Green? (Full Guide)
Many military families staying at Shades of Green wonder if they can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks without going back into the park. While the resort isn’t an official viewing location, there are still ways to catch glimpses of the Disney fireworks from Shades of Green and even better options nearby for a full experience. […]
Choosing Where to Stay at Walt Disney World
Planning Your Disney Vacation When you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is where to stay. Your resort choice can set the tone for your entire trip — and for military families, it can also affect your budget, benefits, and convenience. As a rule of thumb, Disney-owned resort […]
Try Disney Vacation Club Without Buying In: Why We Recommend the DVC Rental Store
Want to stay in a deluxe Disney resort without paying deluxe prices—or committing to a timeshare? Here’s how the DVC Rental Store makes that possible. Buying into Disney Vacation Club is a big commitment. Even if you’re a seasoned Disney traveler like we are, it’s something you want to be sure about before signing on […]
Can I Upgrade or Change My Disney Military Tickets After Purchase?
If you’re like many military families planning a Disney vacation, you’ve likely asked: “Can I upgrade my Disney military tickets after I’ve already bought them?” Maybe you want to add a water park day, stay longer, or even convert your ticket into an Annual Pass. The good news? Yes, you can make changes to your […]
Using the Walt Disney World Theme Park Reservation System
In this Tech-Related Post, we will walk you through making a Walt Disney World Theme Park Reservation. This is a really simple and quick process, as you’ll see, and is a needed step for Military tickets at Walt Disney World and all tickets at Disneyland. As a reminder, you will need to have your tickets […]
How Far Is Universal Orlando from Walt Disney World? (And the Best Ways to Get There)
How Far Is Universal Orlando from Walt Disney World? (And the Best Ways to Get There) Short answer: Universal Orlando is roughly 12–17 miles from Walt Disney World, which takes about 20–25 minutes by car in light to average traffic. It varies by where you start at Disney: for example, Old Key West/Riviera → Universal […]
Why We Finally Bought Into DVC After Years of Saying No
After decades of Disney travel and dozens of resort stays, we finally joined Disney Vacation Club. Here’s what changed—and why it finally made sense for our family. For years, we told ourselves Disney Vacation Club just wasn’t for us. We’re seasoned Disney travelers. Between military discounts, Shades of Green stays, and years of knowing how […]
Can Military Families Use Military Star Card or Disney Gift Cards Toward a Disney Vacation?
Planning a Disney trip as a military family often brings up many questions! One such question that I’m often asked is: Can we use our Military Star Card—or Disney gift cards—to cover vacation expenses? The answer is a bit nuanced, so let’s sort it out. ️ Military Star Card The Military Star Card, issued by […]
Military Disney Tickets & Lightning Lane: What’s Included (and What’s Not) in 2025
If you’re planning a Disney vacation using military discount tickets, you might be wondering: Do I get Lightning Lane access included? It’s a fair question—especially now that Disney has replaced Genie+ with a new lineup of Lightning Lane options. Between Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, and the newer Premier Pass, it’s easy to get […]
Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets vs Disney World Annual Pass
Disney Military Promotional Tickets vs. WDW Annual Pass – Which Is Worth It in 2025? This is a great question that recently came up as a question on a blog post. So I took a deep dive into the data to answer it. Back in 2012, this was an easy decision for me. I lived […]
The DOD Assists Disney with Military Details on Disney’s Elio
Disney’s new movie, Elio premiered nationwide on 20 June 2025! The movie is about 11-year-old Elio, who lives with his aunt Olga after the death of his parents. Olga is an Air Force Major who serves as an orbital analyst. Young Elio is obsessed with space, and since he doesn’t have many friends, he dreams […]
Downtown Disney Military Discounts At Disneyland Resort
Did you know that there are Military Discounts available for you at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney? Downtown Disney is the Disneyland Resort’s dining, shopping and entertainment area. There you’ll find great dining options, many merchandise stores (Disney and others), as well as entertainment venues. See our list for Florida’s Disney Springs also. Downtown Disney stretches from […]
Disney World vs. Universal 2026 – Which Military Discount Saves You More?
Military families planning a theme park vacation have two major options with unbeatable discounts: Disney’s Armed Forces Salute and Universal’s Military Freedom Pass. Both programs offer big savings, but they work very differently and come with unique perks, restrictions, and extras. In this post, we’ll compare the ticket options and resort discounts from both destinations, […]
Is the Disney Dining Plan Available with Military Tickets?
Can military families use the Disney Dining Plan if they’re buying discounted tickets? It’s a common question, and the answer isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. The real key to unlocking the Disney Dining Plan isn’t the ticket type at all—it’s where you’re staying. If you’re staying at a Disney-owned resort, you’re in business. If […]
Shades of Green vs. Disney Resort Discounts: Which Is Better for Military Families?
Planning a Disney vacation as a military family comes with a unique decision: Should you stay at the military-exclusive Shades of Green resort, or book a discounted room at a Disney-owned hotel? The answer depends on more than just where you want to sleep—it’s about pricing, perks, proximity, and priorities. In this post, we’ll compare […]
My Tips for Touring Disney’s Parks
My family and I have over 50 years of experience touring Disney’s theme parks. This post contains some of our best tips to help you enjoy your Disney vacation. We’ve seen all the good, the bad, and the ugly during our time in the parks, which I’ll share with you here. This chapter also contains […]
Top Disney Resorts for Military Families Beyond Shades of Green
Can’t stay at Shades of Green—or just want something with a little extra Disney magic? Whether you’re ineligible during a specific season, couldn’t find availability, or just want access to Disney dining plans and resort theming, there’s good news: military families can still stay on-property at Walt Disney World and save big. Disney offers significant […]
Shades of Green’s New Tiered Active Duty Discounts for Summer 2025
A major departure from past pricing policies at Disney’s Military Resort For the first time in its history, Shades of Green is offering a tiered room discount based on active-duty military rank—and it’s a big shift from the norm. Last month, the resort surprised the military community with a new, very limited discount available only […]
How to Do a Split Stay at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando (Military Edition)
How to Do a Split Stay at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando (Military Edition) For military families headed to Orlando, the choice between Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando can be a tough one. But what if you didn’t have to choose? A split stay lets you enjoy the best of both worlds—thrilling adventures […]