Shades of Green, the Armed Forces Recreation Center at Walt Disney World offers free bus transportation to and from destinations on WDW property.
This is a great convenience for those staying there.
(Updates Oct 2019)
Unauthorized Riders
The reason for the ID check is Unauthorized riders.
Unfortunately, in years past there were those who took advantage of free daytime parking lot parking at Shades of Green in order to skip the pricey WDW parking fees at the theme park lots.
These people would drive to Shades of Green and tell the security guard they were there to buy tickets from the ticket office, or that they were visiting one of the golf courses. Then they’d then park in the lot and take the Shades of Green bus to one of the theme parks.
This became a problem for Shades of Green’s paying guests due to the volume of unauthorized people on the buses. This extended waits for those guests that the buses were intended for.
To combat this Shades of Green instituted a dual ID policy in order to ride their buses.
Shades of Green’s Buses – Note the 100% ID check on the window
ID’s Required to Ride Shades of Green’s Bus Fleet:
- Shades of Green Resort ID
- Military ID, Photo ID for sponsored guests
You must show your resort ID card and Military ID card before boarding the bus. You can use 1 resort ID for up to 5 guests staying in the same room. If you are not the sponsor, your guest will be required to show their resort ID and photo ID. All guests 18 and up must show a valid military or state issued photo ID.
Kids ages 15-17 are only required to show their resort ID. No ID is required for kids age 14 or under.
2019 update
Shades of Green had taken further steps by instituting an hourly parking fee and a new walking security gate.
When you check in you will be issued a paper Resort ID for everyone in your party, which is valid for your length of stay. Make sure you have these with you when heading out for the day!
See How Shades of Green Bus System is rated by other Military Guests
Shades of Green Bus Routes and Schedule
Shades of Green Resort Bus Stop
Shades of Green Theme Park Bus Stops
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
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Hi,
We are a military family and will be staying at a Disney Resort. We will not have a car. We would like to visit Shades of Green. Can you tell us the best and cheapest way to get there since we can’t ride the Shades of Green bus?
Thank you.
Hi Linda,
You’ll have 2 options.
Take Disney Transportation to the Polynesian Village Resort or Transportation and Ticket Center and then walk to Shades of Green. When leaving you can take the Shady Shuttle to the Shades property edge.
Hire a ride, uber, Lyft, Minnie Van, Orlando Shuttle Service, etc.
Here’s out Transport Page
We’ll be sponsoring room for my brother and his daughter. If they wanted to head back to Shades of Green during the day without my husband and myself, he would just be able to show his resort ID and a drivers license? Or do we as sponsors have to be with him to get him on the bus? TIA!
Hi Melissa,
The resort ID and DL will be all they need to use Shades Transpo! You will not have to return with them.
I will be traveling to Disney with my husband and 4 children and we are staying at shades of green. Just wondering if all my kids will also receive a resort ID, including my infant, or is it just for the adults.
Hi Khristen,
Resort IDs are for kids 15 and up.