Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World is an Armed Forces Recreation Center.
You must be in one of the following categories and have the required Identification in order to stay there as a guest or visit as a day guest.
Each category is listed below with the required ID.
Armed Forces and their Families
Members on active duty, Reserve, and National Guard, Cadets and Midshipmen of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine Academies.
ID is Common Access Card
Other Uniformed Services
Public Health Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps.
ID is DD Form 2, PHS 1866-1 or 1866-3
Armed Forces Retirees and their Family Members
Retired from active duty, Reserves, and National Guard with or without pay (gray area)
ID is DD Form 2, 1173 or 1173-1
Others Separated from the Armed Forces and their Family Members
Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Service-connected disability. ID is DD Form 1173 or DD Form 2765
Involuntarily separated service members under the Transition Assistance Management Program ID is DD Form 2
Personnel separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) and Special Separation Benefit (SSB) programs for two years after separation ID is DD Form 2
Former and/or Surviving Spouses and Family Members
Unremarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status ID is DD Form 1173 or 1173-1
Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty ID is DD Form 1173
Other Supporters of the Department of Defense
Military personnel of foreign nations and their family members when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation or on U.S. Travel Orders.
U.S. employees of firms under contract to Department of Defense working in the Pacific Region outside the U.S. on Department of Defense Government orders.
Other personnel on official business with Department of Defense as may be specifically authorized by the General Manager or his designee.
ID is DD Form 1173 or 2765
U.S. Department of Defense Civilians and Family Members
Current Department of Defense (DoD) and Coast Guard (CG) civilian employees. DOD or CG ID card, required for check-in.
Retired (APF and NAF) Retired ID card, or SF50 along with photo ID required for check-in.
H.R.5515 – John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 Information: Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act 2018
Those Eligible:
- Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients
- Veterans who are former prisoners of war
- All Veterans with service-connected disabilities
- Individuals approved and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
Details:
Veterans are NOT eligible without Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC). The VHIC must display the Veteran’s eligibility status (i.e., PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW, or SERVICE CONNECTED). Note: VHIC cards are issued to veterans enrolled in VA health care. Visit: https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhic/ for information regarding eligibility for the VHIC and the application process.
Primary Family Caregivers eligible solely under this act will receive a letter from the VA Office of Community Care that indicates they are the approved and designated Primary Family Caregiver of an eligible Veteran under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and are eligible for these privileges. Eligible caregivers will need to show an acceptable credential along with their eligibility letter.
See these posts for more information:
- Disney Military Discounts for Veterans Who Did Not Retire from the Military
- Disney Veteran Discount and Disney Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- Disney Discounts and the John McCain Defense Authorization Act
Non-Retired Veterans
Non retired Veterans who do not fall into the category above may stay at Shades of Green in the months of January and September
ID is your DD-214.
See these posts for more information:
- Disney Military Discounts for Veterans Who Did Not Retire from the Military
- Disney Veteran Discount and Disney Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- Shades of Green Stays for Non-Retired Veterans
Sponsoring Guests at Shades of Green
This article was written by Steve Bell, founder of Military Disney Tips.
Steve is a retired U.S. military member who has been visiting the Disney Parks since 1971 and writing about Disney military discounts and vacations for the military community for over 18 years.
Read Steve’s Full Bio | Follow Military Disney Tips on Facebook
Planning a Stay at Shades of Green?
Shades of Green is one of the most unique military benefits available for Walt Disney World vacations. From eligibility rules and room categories to transportation and military ticket sales, these guides will help you better understand Disney’s military-only resort.
- Shades of Green Overview
- Why Stay at Shades of Green?
- Shades of Green Rooms
- Shades of Green Room Rates
- How to Make Reservations at Shades of Green
- Disney Tickets at Shades of Green
- Shades of Green Fact Sheet & FAQ
Additional Shades of Green Resources:
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I am a veteran, active duty 3 years, 77-80. I see that there is ability for me to stay at shades of green resort in the month of January or September. What identification is required to make reservations?
I am a season pass holder already.
Hi Douglas,
You need your DD-214.
I am a spouse of a 100 percent veteran can I stay at shades of green
Hi Vanessa,
If you have a spouse military dependent ID, absolutely.
If you do not, Shades of Green does not mention eligibility for veterans spouses. I’d call them just to be sure!
(888) 593-2242
hello
I am a 70% disabled veteran with a service connected disablity what all documents do i need to be able to stay there with my family of 4
Hi Eric,
Veterans must present a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) indicating at least one of the three acceptable eligibility statuses (PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW, or SERVICE CONNECTED); or HEC form H623A indicating placement in VA health care priority group 8E paired with an acceptable credential like a REAL ID-compliant State driver’s license or a U.S. passport.
Note: VHICs are issued to veterans enrolled in VA health care. Visit: https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhic/ for information regarding eligibility for the VHIC and the application process.
Hi We we’re looking to surprise our 11-13 year old this end of Nov this year to Disney World!! We will be in Florida for a wedding! Our retired Military 22 years welcome at your resort ! Thank you
Hi Lisa,
Well… I don’t have a resort. This site is an informational site run by a military retiree.
But if you look just above in the content of this page under “Armed Forces Retirees and their Family Members” you will see that yes you are eligible.
hi guys are there any discounts for uk military veterans with the defence discount card and are we able to stay at this resort thanks ken
Hi Ken,
The only Disney discounts including stays at Shades of Green fo non-US military are for those stationed at US bases who are issued a US CAC like the one pictured (right bottom) on this page:
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discount-id-guide/
Good evening. My husband is 100% disabled but before he left the military, deers gave him a New Generation USID that says “Transitional Health Care Member”. Can he use that ID to stay at the resort in October? We have the same question for the validation of the discounted tickets at the parks with the same ID but I do not know if you are able to answer it. Thanks in advance.
Hi Marie,
Shades of Green states: “NEXT GENERATION UNIFORMED SERVICES ID CARD – The Department of Defense is transitioning to a more secure next generation USID card. Shades of Green accepts this new card.”
Just to be sure there will be no issues, I’d call then and tell them what the card says to make sure they are good with it.
Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort Main Phone (407) 824-3400
Hello! I have been studying all this information, but still don’t fully understand. My husband is 100% disabled permanent and total. Our IDs only say 100% Disabled Veteran, but nothing about permanent and total. He has a letter that states it though. Are we eligible for the Disney Military Salute Ticket? Thank you so much.
Hi Tiffanie,
You have the new style ID’s I believe, as they no longer say this.
You are definitely eligible. I recommend contacting Shades of Green’s Ticket Office to see what they accept:
Main Address: Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort, 1950 West Magnolia Palm Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Fl 32830
(407) 824-1403 or their online form: https://shadesofgreenresort.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
I know this is a bit awkward but, My husband is a veteran with a dd-214 and retired DOD. If he passes away before I do and I am getting his retirement will I still be able to stay at the SOG
in the future with our kids?
Hi Debbie,
So, once the member passes what is required is a military spouse ID.
The DD-214 program for non-retirees is for the member, not the spouse, so that is out.
And the DoD Civ program is also just for the employee and not the spouse. (And in fact, just this month the DoD did away with retired Dod Civ IDs and we have to turn them in… Which is pissing me off!)
So unfortunately, you would not be eligible, if he passes. To the best of my knowledge.
I was in the army reserve for 6 years got a honorable discharge. Would I qualify for using shades of green resort.
Hi Ron,
With their veteran’s program in Sept and Jan.
See:https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/shades-of-green-stays-for-non-retired-veterans/
If you have other qualifiers you might be able to use this: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-discounts-and-the-john-mccain-defense-authorization-act/
See the veteran’s overview: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/veteran-discounts-for-disney-universal-and-other-theme-parks/
Hello!
My son is a West Point Cadet. Am I able to stay at the resort without him or does he need to travel with us?
Hi Jackie,
He needs to travel with you. He is eligible, you are not.