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.
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 became eligible for the Disney World’s Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours that replaced the old Extra Magic Hours.
Shades of Green guests may both enter every theme park early every day, and stay late on select days at select Walt Disney World theme parks.
See these posts for detailed info:
Advance Dining Reservations for the entire trip
Shades of Green guests may make their Advance Dining Reservations 60 days prior to check in, for their entire trip (Up to 10 days).
Those without this benefit can only make them 60 days prior to the date needed.
This extended window gives you an advantage over those waiting until 60 days prior to the desired date.
To take advantage of the extended window your resort reservation needs to be linked to your My Disney Experience account.
See:
- Linking your Shades of Green Reservation to My Disney Experience
- The Ultimate Guide to Advance Dining Reservations
Walt Disney World Benefits that Shades of Green Guests are not eligible for:
Free Theme Park Parking
For many, many years Shades of Green’s guests did not pay the parking fee at Disney World’s theme parks, just like Disney Resort Hotel guests. But in 2010 a change was made, I suspect at that time Disney wanted to charge Shades of Green a fee to continue this practice, so it ended.
Shades of Green guests pay $25 per day to park at the theme parks
Disney’s Magical Express
Disney’s Magical Express, free transport from Orlando International Airport is a thing of the past and it did not serve Shades of Green.
However, Mears Connect, and the Sunshine Flyer, paid versions of the Magical Express both serve Shades of Green!
Update 14 July 2023 – Mears Connect and the Sunshine Flyer have merged.
Walt Disney World Transportation from Shades of Green
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
Disney Dining Plan
(Currently not offered by Disney due to staffing shortages)
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, Genie+, 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 Genie+.
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.
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!
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. |
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
- Why Stay at Shades of Green?
- Shades of Green Rooms
- Shades of Green Room Rates
- Shades of Green Resort Activities and Amenities
- Disney Tickets at Shades of Green
- Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
- Shades of Green Fact Sheet and FAQ
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 GuideÂ
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing ChecklistÂ
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
Military Disney Tips' Recommended Disney Travel Agent Ears of Experience Disney Only Travel Agency. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts! |
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.
Can you use a Disney Refillable cup at Shades of green?
Hi Brenda,
Sorry, no you can’t use Disney’s refillable mugs at Shades of Green. Shades is not a Disney owned resort.