Shades of Green Transportation Options

Here are your Transportation Options at the Shades of Green Resort, the Armed Forces Recreation Center Resort located right on Walt Disney World property.

On this page we’ll cover getting to Shades of Green and then getting around Walt Disney World once you are there.

Getting to Shades of Green

Airport Transportation Information

Here are the various options for your transportation from Orlando International Airport to Shades of Green:

• Mears Connect
• Sunshine Flyer
• Limo Service
• Disney’s Minnie Van Service
• Uber or Lyft
• Taxi
• Rental Car
• Split your stay between Shades of Green and a Disney World Resort(s)

Mears Connect is the successor to Disney’s Magical Express, which ended service at the end of 2021. They offer a bus service identical to the Magical Express as they were the actual company running the Magical Express for Disney and a shared van service that goes directly to your resort. See my full Mears Connect Post.

The Sunshine Flyer is the second replacement service for Disney’s Magical Express. They offer a bus service identical to the Magical Express as well. They also offer and a private car/SUV/van service that goes directly to your resort. See my full Sunshine Flyer Post.

Limo Service – There are numerous limo services available to take you to Walt Disney World.

Uber and Lyft -Are great alternatives to traditional transportation companies. Uber and Lyft ares are currently starting at around $30 one way to WDW. Uber and Lyft are a great alternatives to traditional transportation services. Fares to and around Walt Disney World can be much lower that other commercial options.

If you, or someone in your party doesn’t yet have a Lyft account, you can get a $5 credit towards your first ride when you sign up for Lyft using this link. This promo is for your first ride only, this is perfect for a quick hop across WDW property.

Here is a link to Uber’s Orlando International page for pickup instructions and price estimates.

See our Using Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans at Disney World post

Taxi – Taxis at the airport are about $75 each way to Disney World.

Car Rental – You might be able to find a good military rate. I’m a USAA member and they have discounts negotiated with all the major car rental companies.

Once you do arrive at Shades of Green its easy to get around

A great benefit to staying at Shades of Green is the complimentary bus transportation to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks and to the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Shades of Green buses run throughout the day on a seasonal schedule. ADA options include ramps and lifts for certain designated routes. Shuttles and transportation to other areas around Central Florida are available at an additional charge.

The bus loading area conveniently located in the front of the resort on the lower level. Click here for pictures and directions to the Shades of Green bus loading area.

Note: In order to use Shades of Green’s fleet of buses, all adults will have to show either a military ID and their Shades of Green resort ID (non military sponsored guests show their photo ID).

Shades of Green’s Bus System

Shades of Green currently offers bus service to:

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

Shades of Green Bus Schedule

Bus service is dependent on the daily theme park schedules. Service typically begins approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours prior to a park opening.

• Magic Kingdom – Bus departs approximately every 20 minutes to and from the Transportation and Ticket Center where it stops at Bus Space C10. NOTE due to the closure of the walkway to the Polynesian Resort, Shades of Green has said they they will be adding more buses to this route. However they have also said the buses will not depart any quicker than every 20 minutes. I’m not a rocket scientist, so I’ not sure how this will work or help…
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Bus departs approximately every 30 minutes at 15 and 45 after the hour from Shades of Green and from the Charter Bus lot at Animal Kingdom on the hour and half hour
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Bus departs approximately every 30 minutes at 15 and 45 after the hour from Shades of Green and from the Westside Charter Bus loop Space 60 at Hollywood Studios on the hour and half hour
• Disney Springs – Bus departs approximately every hour on the half hour from Shades of Green and from Westside Charter Bus loop Spaces 1-7  on the hour
• Bus service begins 30 minutes before park opening and departs the hotel every hour on the half hour. Departs from Typhoon Lagoon Water Park every hour at approximately :45 minutes past the top of the hour. Bus Space 9

Shades buses do run both early and late to parks for Early Entry, Extended Evening Hours, and for special late night events like Mickey’s Not-So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

A note about the Shades of Green’s bus stops at the theme parks, there are no queue lines like there are at the Disney bus stops. When returning to Shades of Green it can be a free for all. Often people will swarm the bus when it arrives ignoring the people who have been waiting and formed an impromptu line. Don’t be these people!

Shades of Green – Magic Kingdom Transportation

You have s few options to get to and from the Magic Kingdom from Shades of Green.

Use Shades of Green’s Bus Transportation. Your bus departs Shades of Green from the lower level bus stop and will take you to the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC), which is where all non-Disney transportation uses for the Magic Kingdom. You’ll be dropped off at spot C10 at the TTC Bus Lot (to the right in the image below). C10 is at the southern end of the lot closest to the TTC.

From the Transportation and Ticket Center you can take either of the 2 monorail lines to the Magic Kingdom, the Express or the Resort line. The Express Monorail only stops at the TTC and Magic Kingdom. The Resort Monorail will go from the TTC, The Polynesian Village Resort, The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, the Magic Kingdom, The Contemporary Resort, and then back to the TTC.

You can also take the Ferry Boat to the Magic Kingdom.

As an option to Shades of Green’s Buses, you can walk to the Polynesian from Shades of Green and catch the Resort Monorail or water taxi to the Magic Kingdom there. Or if you are even more adventurous it is possible to continue walking to the Grand Floridian and then the Magic Kingdom (it’s about 1.6 miles). You could also walk to the TTC from the Polynesian.

NOTE: AS of 1 May 2023 the walk from Shades of Green to the Polynesian will no longer be available! 

See All My Posts About Walking at Disney World:

• Walking at Walt Disney World Overview
• Transportation Overview Page
• Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) Overview Page
• Walk between Shades of Green and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort This route closes permanently 1 May 2023
• Walk Between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
• Walk between Disney's Contemporary Resort / Bay Lake Tower and the Magic Kingdom
• Walk between Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and the Magic Kingdom
• Walk Between Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center

The Shady Shuttle

If you do decide to walk it is possible to reduce your walking distance by almost 4 tenths of a mile (0.37 miles) by taking the Shady Shuttle. The Shady Shuttle is a courtesy service provided by Shades of Green Bell Services. The Shady Shuttle will take you from the front entrance of Shades of Green to the end of the entrance driveway, which is across the street from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

The Bell Hops will provide this service if they are not busy with their primary job (assisting others with their bags). Tipping is encouraged for this extra service.

On your return to Shades of Green you can call the Shady Shuttle and have it pick you up at the same spot if someone is available. Just call 407-824-1401 a little bit before you plan to arrive at the SHades of Green driveway. Remember though, this is not an automatic service. If the Bell Hop’s are busy you’ll need to walk.

Shades of Green – Epcot Transportation

Using Shades of Green’s Bus Transportation, your bus will depart Shades of Green from the lower level bus stop and will take you to the TTC. You’ll be dropped off at spot C10 at the TTC Bus Lot. You will then take the Epcot Monorail line to Epcot.  It is a roughly 4 mile trip that concludes with a scenic loop around Epcot before arriving at the Epcot Monorail Station right outside the front gate.

Shades of Green – Hollywood Studios Transportation

Using Shades of Green’s Bus Transportation, your bus will take you to the Charter Bus Stop at Hollywood Studios, which is circled in the image below.

Shades of Green – Animal Kingdom Transportation

Using Shades of Green’s Bus Transportation, your bus will take you to the Charter Bus Stop at the Animal Kingdom, which is circled in the image below.

Shades of Green – Disney Springs Transportation

Using Shades of Green’s Bus Transportation, your bus will take you to the West Side Bus Loop at Disney Springs, which is at the far left in the image below.

Shades of Green Bus Links:

• Shades of Green’s Bus Stop
• Shades of Green’s Disney Bus Stops

Shades of Green’s Bus System Ratings

Here’s how MDT Readers rate Shades of Green’s Bus System on a 1 to 5 scale in our Shades of Green Surveys.

You will also see the following symbols after the numerical rating to indicate the most recent trend:

• Rating Increased is +
• Rating Decreased is –
• No Change is =

This symbol is then followed by how much the rating changed.

Overall Satisfaction – 3.01, -0.09

Convenience – 2.97, -0.09

See the Full Survey Post for all ratings plus guest comments in each category!

Click Here to see Shades of Green’s current bus schedule

ID Checks on Shades of Green Buses

Walt Disney World Transportation System

Shades of Green guests have access to the Walt Disney Transportation System which includes: monorail, ferry boat and bus transportation all over Disney World property.

Walking / Disney’s Monorail

Shades of Green is located within walking distance of Disney’s Polynesian Resort. It’s about a ten or fifteen minute walk. From there you can take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and Ticket Center (to transfer to the EPCOT monorail or WDW buses to other destinations), or visit other Magic Kingdom Resorts. Click here for pictures and directions to the Polynesian Resort.

Shades of Green New Security Gate 

Walt Disney World’s Transportation and Ticket Center

Shady Shuttle

The Shady Shuttle will run you around Shades’ property and half way to the Polynesian for the walk to the monorail station

Parking

Shades of Green has a large parking garage. Guests of the hotel who park their car overnight will be charged a $17.00 fee per day for its use.

Those visiting Shades of Green for a short period during the day (to buy tickets, shop, or dine) will be charged an hourly rate:

Shades of Green Guests pay $25 per day if they choose to drive their cars to the Disney theme parks and use their parking lots.

Getting back to Shades of Green from the Magic Kingdom Parking Lot. Don’t go miles out of your way when driving a car!

Epcot Parking for Shades of Green’s Guests

Car Rental

Rental cars are available at Walt Disney World’s Car Care Center, which is located near Shades of Green. It’s not walking distance (over a mile and a half along roadways without sidewalks), but their free shuttle will pick you up from anywhere on property.

Enterprise, Alamo and National care rental companies are located here. you can call 407) 824-3470 to book or do it online.

Use these links to book, as you can’y find the Car Care Center when searching their sites:

• Alamo
• National
• Enterprise

Complimentary shuttle service from select Walt Disney World Resort hotels to the Disney Car Care Center Car Rental Facility can be arranged by calling (407) 824-3470 ext. 1. Guests renting a car through Enterprise, Alamo or National must schedule at least one hour prior to pick up time and be waiting at the pickup location at the appointed time. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please contact the Car Care Center to reschedule.Operating Hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM every day

Besides Car Rental the Car Care Center offers:

• A Speedway Gas and Convenience Store
• Extensive car repair services
• Roadside Assistance on property till an hour after the last park closes, call (407) 824-0976
  • Complimentary Towing Service to Car Care Center or, if the center is closed, to a destination within 3 miles of Walt Disney World Resort
  • Fuel Assistance
  • Battery Jump Start
  • Flat Tire Assistance, including inflation of flat tire
  • Winch Out (vehicle stuck in mud)

Other Transportation Information

See my Transportation Overview Page

Your Guide to Disney World Transportation

How do I get to Shades of Green?

Shades of Green’s Bus Stops

Using Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans at Walt Disney World

Disney’s Minnie Van Service

Getting Around Walt Disney World for Shades of Green Guests

Mears Connect

Sunshine Flyer

See All My Posts About Walking at Disney World:

• Walking at Walt Disney World Overview
• Transportation Overview Page
• Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) Overview Page
• Walk between Shades of Green and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort This route closes permanently 1 May 2023
• Walk Between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
• Walk between Disney's Contemporary Resort / Bay Lake Tower and the Magic Kingdom
• Walk between Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and the Magic Kingdom
• Walk Between Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center