Shades of Green Resort Walt Disney World Benefits

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 Disney World’s Early Entry & Extended Evening Hours, which 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:

• Early Entry
• Extended Evening Hours

Early Lightning Lane Purchase

For those who would like to purchase and use the paid Lightning Lane options, purchasing is available 7 days prior to your check-in date. Disney extends this benefit to Shades of Green guests. Others have to wait until 3 days prior.

• Lightning Land Multi Pass and Single Pass
• Lightning Land Premier Pass

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 that 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 Check-In Day Free Water Park Entry

When you reserve a Disney Resort room in 2025, you will receive a Free Disney Water Park Entry on your check-in day!

See this related information:

New Walt Disney World Resort Room Perk in 2025

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, and resort access, to name most uses.

Shades of Green doesn’t use these. You get a plastic key card for your room and 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 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!

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