This post is part of our Frequently Asked Question Series in the Shades of Green FAQ section.
The Shades of Green Resort is an Armed Forces Recreation Center Resort located on Walt Disney World property near Orlando Florida.
I’m Not Staying at Shades of Green Can I Use Their Amenities (Ticket Office, Restaurants, etc)?
Absolutely! Anyone who is eligible to stay at Shades of Green may visit as a day guest to take advantage the military discounts, cheap prices, and tax free purchases.
Shades Of Green Amenities Available To Any Eligible Person
At Shades of Green you will find all of the amenities that you’d expect at the best Disney resorts such as a wide selection of restaurants, recreational options, valet parking, bellhop service, spa, fitness room, two pools, free Wi-Fi, and self-service laundry facilities, plus a military discounted ticket sales office and mini Exchange.
Many of Shades of Green’s amenities are available to those who just drop by!
It may be that may be that you are staying at a Disney owned resort, another resort on property, off site, or are a Disney World day guest,
Whatever your situation as a Military/DoD member you are always welcome to stop by Shades of Green. At least one member of the party must have a military ID or CAC to enter the resort.
Here are the amenities that non-Shades of Green guests are allowed to use:
- Shades of Green’s Ticket Sales Office
- The AAFES Store
- All of the restaurants at Shades of Green
- The Magnolia Spa
All of these venues cost less than the comparable services at the Disney resorts and there is no sales tax added!
Other amenities such as pool and fitness center use are reserved only for those actually staying at Shades.
Shades Of Green’s Ticket Sales Office
Due to the current Theme Park Reservation System it has become essential to purchase your Disney tickets well in advance. Both those staying at Shades and those who are not can do so ahead of time through The Shades of Green ticket office.
Disney day guests, and those who want discounted tickets for a future date or other Central Florida Attractions can stop by to buy their tickets here anytime.
The ticket office doesn’t just offer Disney tickets–you can also find military discounted tickets for all of the major (and many minor) Central Florida attractions here. You’ll find tickets for:
- Universal Orlando
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Legoland Florida
- Busch Gardens
- Kennedy Space Center
- Wet n’ Wild
- Gatorland
- Many Orlando Dinner Shows
- And Disney World’s minor parks: WDW’s Water Parks, and WDW’s Mini Golf Locations
The line for service can be long in the morning, so drop by in the afternoon for a shorter wait.
Shades Of Green’s AAFES Store
The Army Air Force Exchange Service operates what is essentially a small shoppette at Shades of Green. Here you will find all of the sundries that you might need during your vacation. Some of the offerings are: snacks and quick food options, a wide range of beverages including beer, wine, & liquor, toiletries and medicines. You will also find Disney, Orlando area, and military unique souvenir items.
A military ID is required for the sale of liquor and tobacco products. You will find that beer, wine, & liquor are MUCH cheaper here than at the Disney resorts.
This is a great place to stock up on snacks and drinks for the room and theme parks at good prices!
Shades of Green Dining
You are always welcome at all the Shades of Green’s restaurants.
Breakfast options are the Java Café and Express Café, both of which are quick service (grab and go) locations, and the Garden Gallery buffet, which often has long waits for a table during breakfast.
For lunch your options are the Java Café (Starbucks pastries), the Express Café which has great sandwiches, On the Greens Grill offering hot dogs and brats by the Magnolia Golf Course, and Evergreen Sports Bar.
If you are around for dinner you can choose from the Garden Gallery which offers a regional/international buffet with daily rotating items, Manginos Steakhouse, the Java Café (Starbucks pastries), the Express Café, and Evergreen Sports Bar.
Shades of Green’s dining locations are cheaper to considerably cheaper that the corresponding Disney venues, so drop by here to get filled up.
Shades offers this handy chart indicating what is open when during your visit. (subject to change)
Shades Of Green’s Magnolia Spa
The Magnolia Spa is a full service spa.
They offer a full range of services at prices 15-25% lower than the Disney Spas:
- Massage
- Facials
- Manicures
- Pedicures
- Salon and Barber Services
- Packages, and
- Princess Makeovers
The full list of services and prices is here.
How To Get To Shades Of Green
You cannot ride Shades of Green’s bus if you are not a guest, you’ll need to get there on your own.
If you have your own car the easiest thing to do is drive yourself.
Note in in early 2019 Shades of Green started charging an hourly parking fee for stays over 2 hours to non-guests.
Follow the signs to the Magic Kingdom, and then the signs for Shades of Green
After you pass the Polynesian Village Resort on your right you’ll come to a “T.” Turn right there and Shades will be just ahead on your left.
At the guard shack just show your ID (military ID, CAC or DoD CAC) and tell the security host what you are there for i.e. “I’m going to the ticket office to buy tickets.” They’ll then direct you to parking.
If you are depending on Disney Transportation you have a couple of options.
You can take Disney transportation to the Polynesian Village Resort or Transportation and Ticket Center and walk to Shades. From the Poly, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on your walking speed. Add another 5 to 10 minutes from the TTC.
You may not ride on the Shades of Green fleet of buses unless you are staying there. A Shades of Green Resort ID is required to ride.
Uber Lyft or Minnie Van
Uber – Free ride up to $15 by signing up via this link for Uber (or use the promo code steveb14703ue if the link doesn’t work). This promo is for your first ride only, any value not used expires so this is not good for a quick hop across WDW property, but it is perfect for a ride from Orlando International to WDW.
Lyft – $5 credit towards your first ride when you sign up for Lyft using this link. This promo is for your first ride only.
Disney’s Minnie Van Service is also run through the Lyft App. (Currently not offered)
Extra Savings For Your Disney World Vacation
Using these extra benefits available at Shades will help you save a little extra on your vacation!
You are eligible, so if you have the time to stop by, you should definitely use them. Drop by to pick up supplies, buy any tickets you still need, and grab lunch.
Have you used Shades of Green’s benefits when not staying there? Let us know in the comments below.
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This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio. Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link. |
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Technology Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
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Love the information on the military discounts, I am a 100% DAV, but I’ve noticed that they are primarily for “rooms”, I am a RVer, I would like to stay at the Fort Wilderness Resort but not in a cabin. My question is, are there any discounts for the campground at Fort Wilderness.
Hi Donald,
No I’m sorry Disney has never discounted the campground for the military. I know that what they feel is that it is already cheep enough (as far as Disney goes).
If I am just buying tickets but not staying at SOG can I still do extra magic hours?
Hi Abe,
EMH is granted based upon where you stay not the ticket. Disney Resorts, Shades, and a couple of other on property resorts qualify.
Can one park at shades of green for the day w/out a reservation? No, rooms are available during our time there, we are staying downtown. I’d rather not have to pay parking for all 5 days.
Hi Steve, no sorry you can’t. Shades only allows only guests and those on short errands (tickets etc.) to park there.
They had a problem with non-guests parking there and taking up room on their buses, so they instituted a dual ID (military & Shades resort ID) to ride their buses.
I’m so glad that people not staying on property can’t park all day, it makes it better for those of us that do to get a better parking place but how does security make sure they are not parking all day. What if someone says they’re only there for tickets but park and leave the car all day?
Hi Mary,
Great question. The gates on the parking garage, which had been unused or broken for many years have been replaced. You need to swipe a room key or take a ticket to enter and swipe or pay on exiting.
See this post for pics: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/shades-of-green-increases-parking-rates-for-2019-adds-hourly-rate-for-non-guests/
If you’re a veteran with service connected and have a valid veteran card can you buy tickets for unveisal studios if your not staying at the shades of green hotel
Hi Barbara,
I’m sorry but what do you mean by a veteran card? Do you mean a VA ID or something from your State or a veteran’s organization?
To access Shades of Green and their Ticket Office you would need a military issued ID, just the same as you’d need to access a military base. For service connected disabled, you must be 100% permanent and have DAVPRM on your military issued ID.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-World-Military-Discount-ID-Guide.html
Hello, We are traveling to Disneyworld in early May with a multigen family of 12 with 2 active military and one veteran. We are hoping to get a 2019 military rate to stay in a Disney resort hotel. If that doesn’t work out, hope to stay in SOG. Do you know when 2019 Disney resort military rates will be available? Thank you!
Hi Lisa,
Sounds like it will be awesome!
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-armed-forces-salute/when-will-disney-renew-the-disney-armed-forces-salute-for-2019/
Can Veterans with a Service Connected VA card able to utilize restaurants, purchase Disney tickets, buy beer at the Class 6 if they are staying at another Disney resort?
Hi Patrick,
Per Shades of Green who just verified for me: “Veteran’s under the new guidance must have a VA card with the proper info on it to use the facilities year round.” this includes the AAFES Store.