Shades of Green Stays for Non-Retired Veterans • Military Disney Tips Blog

Special Info:

Non-Retired Veterans are eligible to stay at Shades of Green Resort on Disney Property

Are you one of the many who served your country in the US Military but did not retire?

With their “Salute to Our Veterans” Program, Shades of Green accepts reservations from non-retired US military veterans for stays in January and September.

Shades of Green the military resort located right on Walt Disney World property began this offer for non-retired Vets in September 2010.

Eligibility Requirements

The Eligibility Requirements for this program are:

Those who served in the military for less than 20 years and received an honorable discharge are eligible to stay at Shades of Green during the months of January and September only. A DD-214 is required at check-in as proof of your honorable discharge.

You may obtain a copy of your DD-214 by clicking here if you don’t have one.

This program applies to all who served and received an Honorable Discharge. Disability percentages or other qualifications are not required.

NOTE: Shades of Green is open year-round to current and retired military as well as those qualified under the 2018 John McCain Defense Authorization Act.

The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 authorizes disabled vets (non 100% perm) and their caregivers to use Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities, which Shades of Green is, starting in January 2020. However Shades current statement on this is: “At this time, we have not received the official notice of beginning this or the full details.”

Shades of Green Basic Information

The Shades of Green Resort is an Armed Forces Recreation Center Resort located right on Walt Disney World property near Orlando Florida.

Here you will find very affordable military room rates for your Disney vacation as well as Disney World and local area military discount tickets.

The Shades of Green Resort is a wonderfully spacious hotel. Remodeled and expanded in 2004 it has 586 of the largest standard resort rooms on Walt Disney World property, plus eleven family suites.

See our full Shades of Green Page for much more detail about this wonderful resort.

Room Rates: Room Rates are based upon verification of DD-214 at the time of check-in. Guest showing their DD-214 with an Honorable Discharge will pay the Category #3 rate.

Room Rates are based on two adults occupying a standard room and four adults occupying suites. For single occupancy, subtract $2 from the listed rate. Add $15 per additional adult 18 years or older.

Room Rate Details

Amenities: All rooms include refrigerator, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and in-room safe. Due to fire codes, any additional cooking appliances (such as microwaves) are not allowed in guest-rooms.

Pets: Pets are not permitted.

Smoking: Shades of Green is a smoke-free resort.

Make your Reservation by calling Shades of Green at (888) 593-2242 or reserve online

Shades of Green Stays for Non-Retired Veterans

One of the 2 pools at Shades of Green

Shades of Green Amenities Under this Program

Those using this program to stay at Shades of Green are eligible for all the benefits offered by Walt Disney World and Shades of Green such as:

60-DAy FastPass Plus reservation Window
Participation in Extra Magic Hours
Use of Shades of Green’s Restaurants
Use of Shades of Green’s Mini-Exchange Store
Use of Shades of Green’s Military Ticket Office
And more!

See the full list of Disney amenities here

When staying at Shades of Green you may use the Shades of Green ticket sales office, for most Disney and other Orlando area military discounted tickets.

Note: The special Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets require a current valid military ID so may not be used by non-retired veterans. You may however use the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets.

Shades of Green’s – Ticket Office

Detailed Shades of Green Information

Please check out the links below, the content they link to will give you a great overview of what Shades of Green has to offer.

One of the great benefits is the Shades of Green ticket sales office where they sell Military Discounted Tickets for all local area attractions (including Disney). When staying there using this program you may buy any ticket they sell at the military discount rate, except the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickes which require a current ID for use.

Our Other Info for Non-Retired Veterans

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

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

Steve Recommends

Do you want all of your Disney Planning information in one place, organized in a step-by-step logical manner with an emphasis on Military Discounts and offers? I've written 2 Guidebooks just for the Military Community:

Walt Disney World for Military Families 2020 - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download

The Essential Guide to Shades of Green - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download

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Ears of Experience - My recommended Travel Agent, Fee Free, Disney Only, Military Family Owned

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EzPacking Cube Organization System, Tame Your Suitcase! - MDT Readers get 15% off with MILITARYDISNEY at checkout

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Comments

Ashley Frei says

11 January 2020 at 18:15

What about mwy tickets? Can a combat veteran with honorable discharge no % disability with VA – buy discounted mwy tickets in advance to be shipped in months other than Jan and sept?

- Steve says
  
  13 January 2020 at 19:22
  
  Hi Ashley,
  
  No, sorry. If you don’t fall into one of these new eligibility categories:
  
  Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients
  Veterans who are former prisoners of war
  All Veterans with service-connected disabilities
  Individuals approved and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
  
  You can only use the ticket office in January and September while staying at Shades of Green
  
Mike Newcomer says

13 January 2020 at 16:18

Are you sure that Non-Retired Veterans showing their DD-214 with an Honorable Discharge will pay Category #2 rates? Online it looks to be Category #3 rates.

- Steve says
  
  13 January 2020 at 19:19
  
  Thanks Mike,
  
  You are correct it is Cat-3. Not sure how that error got in there. I’ve fixed it.
  
Andres Jasso says

16 January 2020 at 12:29

HI,

I am a Veteran with a General Under Honorable Conditions listed on my DD214.

Am I able to qualify?

- Steve says
  
  17 January 2020 at 18:19
  
  Hi Andres,
  
  Shades of Green states they require proof of honorable discharge via a copy of a current DD-214 form.
  
  You should contact them directly to see if they consider a general discharge honorable. I know with a general you can lose some benefits.
  
  Main Phone (407) 824-3400
  Reservations (888) 593-2242
  
Samantha says

25 February 2020 at 11:40

Are veterans staying under the Salute to Veterans program eligible to purchase discounted annual passes during January and September?

- Steve says
  
  25 February 2020 at 12:34
  
  Hi Samantha,
  
  I believe so. The reason for not being able to buy Salute tickets is the ID check during activation. APs have no ID check (unless you’re getting a FL Resident one).