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 on the differences between Shades of Green and the Walt Disney World resorts This side-by-side comparison is an effort to help you in your decision making process.

(Updated for 2023 prices: December 2022)

Military members who use Disney’s Armed Forces Salute room discount receive up to a 30% discount off of regular Walt Disney World Value Resort rates.

Shades of Green is the military only, military owned and operated resort on Walt Disney World property. Shades offers great low rates based upon the member’s pay grade.

I hope that you find this post helpful! Be sure to post comments and questions below.

The Resorts

Here are the Disney Value Resorts, most are eligible for up to 30% off of the full price rate are:

• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort  (Pop Century is not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute Discount in 2022)
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (Little Mermaid Rooms at Art of Animation are not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute Discount)

Disney Value Resorts include amenities such as: food courts, pizza delivery to your room, luggage service, swimming pools with hot tub and cast member lead activities, on-site recreation, and bus transportation.

For this comparison I’ll be using the All-Star Music Resort, but all of the Disney Values are very similar, varying only in the exterior themes and food options in the food courts. Art of Animation has special themed rooms, which cost extra.

Shades of Green includes amenities such as: full-service restaurants, quick service dining options, limited room service, luggage service, swimming pools and hot tub, an Army-Air Force Exchange Store, discounted ticket sales, and bus transportation.

This is a comparison between the lowest cost room at each resort, a standard view at the All-Star Music and a Standard Room at Shades.

The All-Star Music room in this review is representative of the other All-Star and Pop Century Resorts

Disney’s Value Preferred rooms, identical except for location (proximity to the main building), are available for $15-$20 more per night. All-Star Music also offers Family Suites at a higher rate.

Shades of Green’s rooms come in Standard (rated here), Poolside (identical to the standard room except for the view) for $10 more per night, and Family Suites.

Room – Price

Note: starting in 2018 the Disney Armed Forces Salute room discount rates are not a set 30%. They are “up to” 30%, meaning that depending on your dates you might receive a lower discount amount; the only way to know what your price will be is to call (or have your Travel Agent do it for you).

For this comparison I’ll be using the maximum 30% Disney Armed Forces Salute discount. Disney adds various sales and resort taxes to their room rates. At Pop Century and Art of Animation the tax rate is 12.5% and at the All-Stars it is 13.5%

I’ll show the prices for Standard Rooms at both resorts.

Shades of Green – Shades of Green has 3 price categories for the standard room based upon your rank/status:

1 October 2022 – 30 September 2023:

• Category 1 – $169.00 per night
• Category 3 – $199.00 per night
• Category 3 – $209.00 per night

1 October 2023 – 30 September 2024:

• Category 1 – $174.00 per night
• Category 3 – $214.00 per night
• Category 3 – $224.00 per night

Category #1 – E-1 thru E-6 and Cadets

Category #2 – E-7 thru E-9, O-1 thru O-3, WO-1 to CW-3, Widows, Medal of Honor Recipients, 100% Disabled Veterans.

Category #3 – O-4 thru O-10, CW-4, CW-5, Active and Retired DoD Civilians.

There is no tax added to these charges. This rate is for double occupancy, it is $2 less for single occupancy and add $15 per extra adults (ages 18+).

Shades of Green’s prices are the same every day of the year, they do not vary like Disney’s do.

All-Star Music – The All-Star Music Resort’s 2022 full rates for a standard room varies from $121 to $289 per night including tax.

When the maximum Disney Armed Forces Salute discount of 30% the rate is applied these rates are reduced to $90 to $202 per night.

This price is for up to 2 people. For each additional adult over 18 there is a $15 per night charge.

For a closer look at the price differences see our comprehensive post on Shades of Green – Disney Price Comparisons.

There are times of the year when Disney’s Value resorts with the maximum Disney Armed Forces Salute are way cheaper than Shades of Green’s Category 1 rates!  And there there are times when they are more expensive.

So, you can see it depends on your Shades of Green price category and for Disney the time of year and day of the week, which will be cheaper.

Note: There are times of the year when the Disney Armed Forces Salute is not available at all, these are called blockout dates.

Shades of Green does offer discounts and packages at various times of the year. These vary widely and are often for specific very limited dates and are modified over time or cancelled as rooms fill. In this comparison I’m only comparing the rates available all year long. You should check to see if Shades is offering a discount or package for your dates!

There are other factors such as transportation which affect the bottom line though, so read on.

Room – Size

The All-Star rooms have a maximum of four-person occupancy per room (plus one child under 3 in a crib). While Shades’ offers five-person occupancy per room (plus one child under 3 in a crib).

Shades of Green – At 514 square feet the Shades of Green room is the winner on size, hands down. This includes a large bedroom with 2 queen beds, a single sleeper sofa, entry hall, seating area with a small table and 2 chairs, a closet, and large vanity area separate from the shower/toilet area. All Shades rooms have an inside hall, room entrance and a balcony/patio with a table and chairs.

All-Star Music – The All-Star Music room measures in at a much smaller 260 square feet with a bedroom that includes 2 double beds (one platform, one Murphy), a small separate vanity area separate from the shower/toilet area, the vanity area which contains a clothes hanging area and shelf. The All-Star resorts all have outside room entrances from a common sidewalk and no exterior furniture.

Room – Beds

Both resorts have comfortable beds and pillows, as well as great bedding.

Shades of Green – 2 Queen sized beds and a couch that converts to a day bed for one. See how the couch-bed works

All-Star Music – 2 double beds (one platform, one Murphy). The Murphy Bed folds up to create a table and there are 2 chairs

Room – Amenities

Amenities at both resorts were very similar.

Each has complimentary wifi (Shades of Green’s is not very strong or dependable in the guest rooms), flat screen TV’s, mini fridge, coffee maker that uses pods, a safe (Shades’ was good sized, the All-Star Music’s is quite small), iron and ironing board, toiletries, hair dryer, and luggage rack (available on request at All-Star Music).

Both resorts have receptacles for recycling and it is important to note that the All-Star Music room thermostat could not be set lower that 68, a cooler temperature is desirable when returning to the room mid-day in the Florida summer (at least for me)!

Room – Decor

The biggest difference between staying at Shades and a Disney resort is themeing. Shades is decorated like any civilian hotel and could be placed anywhere, worldwide and fit in.

At the Disney resorts, you definitely know that you are at Disney. Some of their decorating is subdued, and some definitely isn’t depending on which resort you are staying in. At the values theming is all outside in big bold icons and bright colors! Inside, you cannot tell the Values’ rooms apart (except for Art of Animation). In all Disney’s recent remodels, they have made many resorts including the Values very generic.

Shades of Green – Many worry that staying at Shades of Green will be like staying in billeting on base, but it definitely is not, the rooms are top notch. The rooms are decorated in greens (to tie into the resort name) with pictures of scenery and plants. The furniture is all good quality. It should be noted that, before the Army MWR purchased the resort from WDW, it was a deluxe Disney resort.

All-Star Music – The rooms have been recently renovated. The furniture is all great quality too. The new Murphy Bed has vastly increased what was a limited sized room. And you can stash all your luggage under the other platform bed if you are a vacation unpacker.

Resort – Dining

Shades of Green – has a variety of restaurants, Manginos Steakhouse (Steaks and Seafood), The Garden Gallery (breakfast and dinner buffets and a la carte), Evergreens Sports Bar & Grill (sandwiches, wraps and burgers, salads, pizza, wings, and nachos), the Express Cafe (counter service breakfast and lunch sandwiches, pastries, snacks), the Java Cafe (Starbucks coffees teas, pastries and ice cream, and Chip n’ Dale’s Deli (grilled hot dogs,, wraps, sandwiches).

The counter service locations are just fine. At the Garden Gallery much of the buffet food comes off the Sysco truck pre-made and is served as is. The food quality and service at Manginos is sub-par to what you’ll find at a Disney table service restaurant. And the food at Evergreens is microwaved and only recommended if there is no other option.

The Garden Gallery can be very busy in the mornings, when everyone is trying to get going to the theme parks at the same time. MDT recommends a coffee and pastry at the Java Café or the Express Café to have while waiting on the theme park bus instead. Or do the same on arrival at one of the theme parks.

You’ll find no food court here as you will at a Disney Value! There isn’t the volume of people to make that necessary.

More on Shades of Green Dining

All-Star Music – There is one dining in option at All-Star Music and all the other Values, the food court. Disney Value Resort food courts are set up with several stations at which you can a get a wide variety of menu items plus a grab and go section. In the morning they carry breakfast fare and then switch over to their rest of the day menus.

The Value food courts can be very loud and hectic in the mornings, when everyone is trying to get going to the theme parks at the same time. Get there by 7 a.m. for a less hectic experience. Open 6 a.m.-midnight,

Pizza and salad Delivery is also available to your room after 5 p.m. There is also a pool bar to enjoy while relaxing by the pool.

Menus on DisneyWorld.com:

• World Premiere Food Court (Movies)
• Intermission Food Court (Music)
• End Zone Food Court (Sports)
• Everything POP Shopping and Dining (Pop Century)
• Landscape of Flavors (Art of Animation)

Resort – Recreation

The recreation options vary quite a bit between the two resorts as Shades used to be a Disney Deluxe resort.

Shades of Green – Shades of Green has two pools, the Mill Pond pool shaped like the Mickey Mouse icon and has a water slide and kids water play area. And the Magnolia Pool which is the quiet pool featuring zero entry, walk in access and a hot tub. Shades of Green has an arcade. There are two lighted tennis courts and the resorts sits in the middle of two of Disney’s golf courses. The clubhouse shares a parking lot with Shades of Green. For the little ones there is a jungle gym/play set (at the Millpond Pool).

All-Star Music – Your recreation options at All-Star Music are the very nice pool and hot tub with cast member led activities, outdoor movies, a playground, and a video arcade.

 

Resort – Transportation 

It really depends on how you travel to your Disney World vacation:

Shades of Green – Guests arriving in Orlando via airline are responsible for obtaining and paying for their own transportation to Shades of Green.

Military Disney Tips has negotiated a Military Discount on Airport Transportation

Those Driving to Shades of Green will have to pay $15 per night to park their car at Shades of Green. If you choose to drive your car to the parks you’ll pay $25 a day for Disney theme/water park parking.

Shades of Green does have their own small fleet of complimentary buses to take their guests to limited locations on WDW property.

Shades of Green currently offers bus service to:

• Transportation and Ticket Center (Magic Kingdom and Epcot)
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney Springs
• Typhoon Lagoon

Shades of Green’s guests also have free full access to the WDW transportation system, which includes busses, the monorail, and various boat lines.

The Shades of Green’s bellhops will drive you to the edge of the property for a quick walk to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and its Monorail Station.

All-Star Music – As of January 2022, guests arriving in Orlando via airline are responsible for obtaining and paying for their own transportation to Disney Resorts.

Those driving to their vacation at the Disney All-Stars will pay $15 per night to park.

Parking is free at the  the Disney theme parks for Disney Resort guests. WDW resort guests have the complimentary use of the WDW transportation system, which includes buses, the monorail, and various boat lines.

The All-Star Resorts only have bus transportation available to all Disney World guest areas.

The other Value Resorts, Pop Century and Art of Animation have access to the Disney Skyliner gondola system for transportation to Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios. Buses to Epcot and Hollywood Studios don’t run or can be limited during Skyliner operating hours.

For Airport Transportation check out the Walt Disney World Airport Transportation section of my Transportation Overview Page.

Resort – Amenities

Again Shades stands out as a prior Disney Deluxe in this category.

Shades of Green – Shades features on-site Disney and Orlando area ticket sales (tax free), an AAFES Store (tax free souvenirs and sundries), luggage service, two guest laundries, an on-site Gym with cardio and Nautilus equipment, and a full service Spa.

All-Star Music – Has a Disney resort gift shop (souvenirs and sundries), luggage service, and a guest laundry.

Disney – Amenities

Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours

Starting in October 2021, Disney Resort guests including Shades of Green guests will be eligible for the new Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours that replace Extra Magic Hours.

Guests may both enter every theme park early, and stay late on select days at select Walt Disney World theme parks.

• Early Entry
• Extended Evening Hours

 

Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lane Purchases

All guests can participate in Disney Genie, Disney Genie+ and in app purchase of Individual Lightning Lane attractions. Guests staying at Shades of Green and Disney Resorts are able to make Genie+ selections and purchase their Individual Lightning Lane attractions at 7 a.m. the day of their visit, while others will have to wait until park opening time.

Disney Genie Information

Magic Bands

Those Shades of Green guests wanting to use Magic Bands for their park tickets will need to buy their own, either ahead of time at the Disney Store or at a WDW gift shop.

Summary

Deciding which resort is right for your family is a very personal decision, so I’ve tried to present an impartial review of both resorts, listing both the good and the bad.

You’ll need to decide which of these areas/items are the most important for you, cost, amenities, room size, transportation, etc.

I hope that you find this helpful! Please leave a comment below with which resort you’d choose and why.