Shades of Green, Walt Disney World’s military only resort offers so many great benefits that it is hard to keep this list to just 10!
The biggest which is a given and often goes unsaid is that Shades of Green is located right in the middle of the Magic, an Armed Forces Recreation Center right on Disney property!
This fact is so basic that it didn’t get put on the list, but let’s jump right in and see the Top 10.
1. Constant dependable price
The best thing about Shades of Green is its constant dependable price structure. Shades has just 3 rate categories, which are based upon pay grade. The more junior members (E1 to E-6) pay significantly less per night (right around $119 based on room type), while more senior members pay somewhat more (around $149-$159).
Shade’s rates are constant year-round and have risen very little through the years. In comparison, Disney World has numerous price seasons throughout the year with prices for each individual room varying up to 2 times the cheapest rate during the more expensive times of the year.
Shades of Green’s Regular Rates
Shades of Green’s Price Compared to Disney
2. Discounts
On top of their great rates, Shades offers some very good discounts and packages during the slower times of the year.
These discounts are from 10 to 20 percent off the regular rates and sometimes include free breakfast for 2.
Taking advantage of these discounts can save a large amount of cash during your WDW vacation.
Shades of Green’s Discounts and Packages
3. Biggest rooms
Shades of Green has the largest standard guest rooms on Walt Disney World property.
At 480 Square feet Shades of Green’s rooms are among the roomiest to be found on the entire Walt Disney World Resort. Guest amenities in Shades of Green’s oversized, standard guest rooms include two queen size beds and a single sleeper sofa. Each standard guest room features either a private balcony or patio, with two chairs and a table.
Shades of Green Guest Rooms are comparable to the Disney Deluxe Resorts such as the Polynesian. The views from most every room are spectacular. Views throughout the resort are unique and interesting. The lush tropical landscaping provides an incredible backdrop.
4. Great Atmosphere
Shades of Green is a very tranquil resort, during the day the pools and grounds are used lightly. With 586 rooms it is a comparatively small resort, Disney’s Value and Moderate Resorts have up to over 2000 rooms and can be very hectic all day!
On average I’ve found over the years that Shades of Green’s guests are much more friendly to, and considerate of each other. After all, we are all part of the same big family!
Guests more often than not, greet each other in passing, ask how you’re doing, or strike up conversations. While at the Disney resort guests will just pass each other by without even looking at each other, much less saying “Hi.”
5. Ticket Sales Office
Shades of Green has a Military Ticket Office, just like the one at your local base.
At the Ticket Sales Office you may purchase Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets as well as all other varieties of Disney World tickets, plus tickets for other local attractions like: Universal Studios Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, and many other Orlando area attractions.
Prices at the Shades of Green Ticket Sales Office are comparable to those that you’d find at your local Base MWR Ticket Office.
Shades of Green’s Ticket Office
The Shades of Green Ticket Office now ships
6. Two Great Pools
There are two very beautiful outdoor pools at Shades of Green.
Both pools are located in the original Magnolia Wing. Both pools are heated and handicap assessable, the Magnolia Pool features zero entry walk in and both pools have assistive lift devices.
The Mill Pond Pool which is formed in the shape of the Mickey Mouse head icon has a water slide and kids splash/play area. The Mill Pond is located at the rear of the Magnolia Wing. Evergreen’s is conveniently located next to the pool for snacks and drinks.
Mill Pond Pool and Slide
Mill Pond Splash Area
The Magnolia Pool is located on the side and near the front of the Magnolia Wing. The On the Greens Snack Bar is located nearby for snacks and drinks. The hot tub is also located here.
7. AAFES Store
You’ll find almost anything you need at great prices. From snacks and breakfast staples to all kinds of drinks, plus lots of DIsney souvenirs at awesome prices. The AAFES Store is worth a stop to stock up even if you are not staying at Shades!
The Shades of Green AAFES Store
8. Extra Magic Hour
Shades of Green’s guests are allowed to participate in Walt Disney World’s Extra Magic Hours.
Extra Magic Hours or EMH is a great benefit of staying “on Disney property.” EMH allows Disney guests to enter assigned theme parks on certain days of the week an hour earlier than day-guests and those staying off property.
This early start to your day gives you a big advantage, as you can get in quite a few attractions during that first hour when the specified park is relatively empty.
EMH also allows Disney guests to stay 2 hours later in a specified park after day-guests and those staying off property are required to leave.
Shades of Green Guest Disney Benefits
9. Package Delivery
Another little known benefit of staying at Shades of Green and the Disney Resorts is Package Delivery to your Resort.
Anything that you buy in the Disney theme parks or at Downtown Disney can be delivered to your resort by Disney. This keeps you from having to lug your purchases around all day.
When making a purchase, simply ask for package delivery. You’ll fill out some info and then be on your way. Your purchase will be bagged up and will arrive at Shades of Green the after 1:00 PM following day. Pick up at the front desk.
This works great as long as you will still be staying at your resort the next day. But if you’ll be checking out the next moring, you still have an option. You can have your theme park purchases delivered to the park’s entry gates immediately for the same day pick up on your way out.
Shades of Green Guest Disney Benefits
10. Java Café
The Java Café is the Hidden Gem at Shades of Green. This small counter service location at one side of the lobby is the perfect spot to grab your favorite Starbuck’s beverage and sweet breakfast treat on your way to the Disney World theme parks!
The Buffet breakfast at the Garden Gallery gets backed up in the morning with sometimes long lines of people waiting to be seated. Besides a big, heavy buffet breakfast will just slow your morning park touring down!
And A Bonus #11. 60-Day FastPass+
This is brand new (mid-December 2017). Shades of Green Guests are now eligible to link their room reservation number to their My Disney Experience Account, thus making them eligible to make their FastPass Plus reservations 60 days prior to check in.
Since the FastPass Plus system started Shades of Green Guests have bee relegated to making theirs 30 days out from the desired date, thus missing out on some of the most desired FastPasses.
Now they are on equal footing with Disney Resort Guests.
SOG 60-Day FastPass Plus Announcement
60-Day FastPass For Shades of Green Guests – Your Start to Finish Guide
Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
Walt Disney World Tech Overview Page
Whats your Favorite?
Share your favorite thing about Shades of Green in the comments below!
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
- Shades of Green Rooms
- Shades of Green Room Rates
- Disney Tickets at Shades of Green
- Links to Everything Shades of Green
- Shades of Green Blog Tour
- Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See our:
Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. For where to stay see our Resorts/Hotel Overview Page. Disney doesn’t discount dining for the military, but there are a few places on property that do, see the Dining Overview Page to learn where plus more dining info. You can also learn about Transportation Options. Be sure to check out our Technology Overview to learn about Magic Bands and My Disney Experience to see how they work with military tickets. Walt Disney World visitors might be interested in staying at Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort.
See: Top 8 Reasons to Use An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Steve Recommends
Do you want all of your Disney Planning information in one place, organized in a step-by-step logical manner with an emphasis on Military Discounts and offers? I've written 3 Guidebooks just for the Military Community:
Walt Disney World for Military Families 2019 - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download
The Essential Guide to Shades of Green - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download
Disneyland for Military Families - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download
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My Disney Experience - The Official Disney iPhone App (Free iTunes Download)
Buy Your Magic Bands at the Disney Store
Best Ever First Timers WDW Book The Easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit
YourFirstVisit.net The premier website for first time visitors to Walt Disney World!
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World The Ultimate WDW Guide!
TouringPlans.com - The website of the Unofficial Guide - Crowd Forecasts, Pre-made Touring Plan, plus lots of detailed info
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All you can eat breakfast buffett has got be among the best in DisneyWorld!
While visiting DisneyWorld, I had a chance to go by and visit SofG. It looked very nice. I’m retired Army. How would I get from MCO to your place? Please list transportation options to and from the airport. Thank You.
Larkin,
Shades of Green linnks to this limo company on their website: http://shadesofgreen.org/sunstate.htm
There is also Mears, and many other smaller limo companies.
I love how the Shades of Green is so friendly. People talk and strike up a conversation with you. I really missed that when we stayed at a Disney resort.
Can you get the Fastpass Magicband at SoG?
Hi there CHris,
I’m not sure if you mean does Shades of Green participate in using Magic Bands or can you buy Magic Bands at Shades.
Unfortunately the answer to both is no.
We stayed at SOG 2 years ago and will be returning soon. We enjoyed our time at SOG and are looking forward to another Disney vacation. Granddaughter plans to “buy ice cream every day at the Java Cafe.” Access to SOG is a great benefit resulting from husband’s military service. I encourage you to go and have fun!
I love the size of the rooms at SOG and the Java cafe after a long day in the park is a great pit stop.
I recently stayed at SOG in Oct 2015 and I brought along my magicband from my recent Xmas trip. I purchased the Armed Forces Salute ticket and they were able to link it to my band, which saved me from having to dig out my card every time I entered a park.
Hey Cynthia,
I always sport my Magic Band while staying at Shades. Very convenient to have my annual pass and FastPasses on it!
I stayed at SOG last summer with my family and absolutely loved it. Everyone was friendly, it had a very laid-back, relaxed vibe…which was a big welcome from a hectic day at the parks. The shuttles actually ran better than Disney buses. The Italian restaurant there had amazing pizza which also made for an awesome late night dinner is needed. The rooms were really big and kept pretty well. I loved its location! Short quick walk to the Polynesian resort so you could ride the monorail if needed. (Sometimes, this was even faster than the buses! ). My ultimate favorite perk… the Shady Shuttle by the Bell desk. They’ll drive you on a golf cart-ish vehicle to the crosswalk which saves you the walking trip. Overall, we loved staying there.
Thanks Eva,
Great review and comments!
The transportation between parks was a lot quicker than other onsite hotels with multiple stops!
Great point Alexis.
We just returned from a week-long stay at Shades of Green and loved it! Our arrival date coincided with Hurricane Irma’s and our flight got cancelled twice. Shades was wonderful about rebooking us and finding a great (actually even better) rate to make up for the package rate we had booked for part of our stay that we lost. The room setup was the best I’ve seen at Disney (and we’ve stayed in all but a few of the resorts) with the shower and toilet being separated from the double vanity sink area by a sliding door. As we are a family of 4 adults, this was really convenient. We had great experiences with the shuttles to the parks and they ran right on time. Walking to the Poly is easy and the Bell Desk by the front door will take you to the crosswalk or pick you up (we didn’t learn this until late in our trip)! We enjoyed the quietness and calm and hope to stay there again.
So glad Monica.
I arrived on property the Thursday after Irma. I stayed with Mickey the first 4 nights, then transferred to Shades myself.
Cool, we also arrived on that Thursday and stayed 7 nights so we may have passed each other!
Hi Steve! Happy New Year!
Thinking about doing the “Disney After Hours” ticketed event on Jan 26th. Have you ever done this? If so, is it worth it? Also…..How do you get back to Shades of Green? The even lasts until 11:00. Will the SOG buses be running? Thank you for any information you might have on this.
~Jennifer
Hi there Jennifer,
Happy New Year!
Well…. Back in 2000 when this type of thing was first introduced, my family did do this. Back then they called it “E Night” as in E Tickets i.e. the best rides when WDW sold tickets for each ride. And back then it was $20 per person. The MK was almost deserted and you could ride exit and ride immediately again rides like Space Mountain.
But that’s ancient history…
My friend Dave has attended these After Hours nights in 2017 and has an extensive review here: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2017/01/31/disney-after-hours-for-2017/ (with links to his first review as well)
Shades does keep the buses running for these special ticketed parties (like the Halloween and Christmas ones) so getting back will be no problem.
Love the room size and the location of the resort.