News for 2021 & 2022:
- No 2022 WDW Disney Armed Forces Salute So Far
- 2022 Disney Armed Forces Salute Timeline
- What to Expect on the Day Disney Announces the WDW 2022 Disney Armed Forces Salute
- Using Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets in 2021
- Using the Walt Disney World Theme Park Reservation System
When Military families stay at Shades of Green Resort on Walt Disney World property, they are eligible for many of the same benefits that those staying at a Disney World owned resort are eligible for (but not all!).
This list has both grown and shrunk over the years. Most recently 60-day FastPass reservations and 180-day plus 10 dining reservations were added. Several years back free parking at the theme parks disappeared.
So, let’s get right to the list…
Walt Disney World Benefits that Shades of Green Guests are eligible for:
Participation in Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours
Starting in October 2021, Shades of Green guests will be eligible for the new Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours that replace Extra Magic Hours.
Shades of Green guests may both enter every theme park early, and stay on select days at select Walt Disney World theme parks.
Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours
Disney Merchandise delivery to your resort
(Currently not offered by Disney for health reasons)
Purchases made at locations that offer resort delivery (theme parks and Disney Springs) can be delivered to your resort.
Delivery is next day, so you can’t do this the last day of your trip or if checking out that day. Your room number is required. You may pick up your delivery at Shades of Green’s Front Desk. They’ll let you know when it is in!
Guaranteed theme park entry on days they close due to volume
(Currently not offered by Disney for health reasons)
Walt Disney World’s theme parks do individually close due to high attendance. This happens very rarely during the very busiest days of the year like Christmas day at the Magic Kingdom. When a theme park is approaching the maximum number of people allowed to be in at a given time they will begin turning people away in a staggered level of priority plan. The park will open back up if and when the number of people decreases.
All Walt Disney World Resort guests and other select on property Resort Guests including Shades of Green are exempt from this closure.
Advance Dining Reservations for entire trip
(Currently 60 days not 180 for health reasons)
Shades of Green guests may make their Advance Dining Reservations 180 days prior to check in, for their entire trip (Up to 10 days).
Those without this benefit can only make them 180 days prior to the date needed.
Special 2021 covid note: Disney has suspended some of the above benefits for all guests including: FastPass, Merchandise Delivery, Guaranteed Theme Park Entry, and changed the Advance Dining Reservation window to 60 days.
Walt Disney World Benefits that Shades of Green Guests are not eligible for:
Disney’s Magical Express
Shades of Green does not participate in Disney’s Magical Express Service from Orlando International Airport. You’ll have to get to Shades of Green on your own!
Starting 1 January 2022 Mears Connect, a paid version of the Magical Express will serve Shades of Green!
See our negotiated Military Discount on Disney World Airport Transportation
Walt Disney World Transportation from the Resort
While Walt Disney World operates a huge fleet of buses all across property, none stop at Shades of Green.
Shades of Green does have its own limited bus line.
See this related information:
Shades of Green Transportation Overview
Using Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans at Walt Disney World
Free Theme Park Parking
Shades of Green guests pay $25 per day to park at the theme parks. Years ago they did not have to.
See Our Transportation Page for details
Disney Dining Plan
(Currently not offered by Disney for health reasons)
The popular Disney Dining Plan cannot be added to your Shades of Green reservation. It can only be aded ro reservations made at Disney Resorts.
See 11 Reasons Why I Don’t Recommend the Disney Dining Plan
Charging Disney purchases to your room
Sorry, only purchases at Shades of Green may be added to your Shades of Green room charge. Those made at Disney locations cannot.
Magic Bands
Walt Disney World Resorts sells discounted Magic Bands to their Resort guests as part of their reservation. Not so at Shades of Green.
Disney Resorts guests use Magic Bands for everything: Park entry, FastPasses, room key, charging to the room, resort access to name most uses.
Shades of Green doesn’t use these. You get a plastic key card for your room, a paper resort ID for access and charges, and you’ll use your Disney ticket for park entry and FastPasses.
You can however opt to use Magic Bands that you buy on your own or ones ones that you have from a previous Disney Resort stay while you are staying at Shades of Green for the things it will do for you.
To learn more, see Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests and Magic Bands and FastPass Plus for Shades of Green Guests
Wrap-Up
Well that’s the info on Shades of Green Disney benefits.
What are your thoughts? are there any you wish were on the list but aren’t? Let us know in the comments section below!
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
- 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 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
Disney World Guidebooks By MDT
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Military Disney Tips' Recommended Disney Travel Agent
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You may want to put in something about Magic Bands. Since there is no charging to the room and you don’t need one to open your door at Shades, it should be self-evident, but I bet there are some who think they need them and/or will get one even at Shades.
Hey there Sharon,
That’s a great point. I’ll add some info about MBs.
Hi, I have been planning a trip to DW for about a year. Going in mid December. Well thanks to covid everything is getting screwed up. We still want to go I think, but not certain. We have reservations at Shades. One plan was to use the Polynesian for any time we needed the monorail or boats. So now I’ve heard Polynesian will not open until 2021. Is there another monorail in walking distance? Otherwise what is the best way to get to MK or Ft wilderness from Shades?
Hi Cyndi,
The Transportation and Ticket Center is about another 5 minutes further walk past the Poly.
But that is where Shades of Green’s Magic Kingdom/Epcot bus drops you anyway to get to the MK.
The Grand Floridian is also another 5 minutes walk past the Poly in the other direction and you can grab a boat to Fort Wilderness and the MK there as well as the monorail.