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 is the military owned and operated 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 who 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 like  Shades of Green starting in January 2020.Â
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 discounted 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.
Amenities: All rooms include a 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 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:
- 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 and Universal Orlando Freedom Pass 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, Â the Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes, or Universal Orlando regular military discounted tickets.
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 tickets which require a current ID for use.
Veterans Get my Veteran Discounts for Disney Overview email series
Links to my content speciffically for Non-Retired Veterans
- Veteran Discounts for Disney, Universal, and Other Theme Parks
- Disney Military Discounts for Veterans Who Did Not Retire from the Military
- Disney Veteran Discount and Disney Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- Disney Discounts and the John McCain Defense Authorization Act
- Shades of Green Stays for Non-Retired Veterans
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! |
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?
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
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.
Thanks Mike,
You are correct it is Cat-3. Not sure how that error got in there. I’ve fixed it.
HI,
I am a Veteran with a General Under Honorable Conditions listed on my DD214.
Am I able to qualify?
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
Are veterans staying under the Salute to Veterans program eligible to purchase discounted annual passes during January and September?
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).
If a dependent wife of a retiree uses a scooter because of major leg and back issues can the bus be used? My ID does not have required acronym that my 100 per cent disabled veteran has on his ID?
Hi Liz,
Yes absolutely. No documentation is required to ride the Shades of Green Bus or Disney Transportation.
I am a bit confused. My husband has an honorable discharge and a DD214. He only served for four years. Does he only qualify to buy discounted or tax free tickets in September and January or can he get tickets year round? We would not be staying at Shades of Green property but we are looking at making a trip in November and we were wondering if he qualified for any discounts. Thank you!
Hi Christy,
Those who only have a DD-214 and no other qualifier like a service connected disability, purple heart, or those who were a pow, are only eligible for Shades of Green in Sept and Jan. Shades requires that if in this category you be staying there in order to make ticket purchases.
I am a 4 year honorably discharged Vietnam vet with a 10% disability would I qualify to stay at Shades of Green and discount tickets
Hi John,
As a service connected disabled, you would qualify for the John McCain Equal Access Act which includes Shades of Green.
See:
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-discounts-and-the-john-mccain-defense-authorization-act/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-veteran-discount-and-disney-military-discount-eligibility-guide/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-military-discounts-for-veterans-who-did-not-retire-from-the-military/
I just became eligible for DIC benefits in August due to my late husband’s service contacted death due to presumptive Agent Orange. Can I stay at Shades of Green? He also was working for the Army Corp of Engineers when he passed away. He was a veteran but did not retire from the military.
Hi Charlotte,
Yours is a very unique situation. I would encourage you to call Shades of Green directly to discuss.
Shades of Green Main Phone (407) 824-3400
My husband is a service-connected disabled veteran, we are also Florida residents. Can we receive both the veteran’s discount and the Florida residence discount at Disney World?
Hi Lisa,
The only “stacked” discount would be buying the FL Resident tickets through Shades of Green, Which he can do as a disabled vet.
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/military-discount-theme-park-tickets/walt-disney-world-florida-resident-military-tickets-and-passes/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-discounts-and-the-john-mccain-defense-authorization-act/
Are there any sort of discounts for military veterans that where honorably discharged at Disneyland CA?
Hi Asuncion,
If you have any of the qualifiers for the McCain Act you’d be eligible for the Regular Military Discounted Disneyland Tickets.
See:
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-discounts-and-the-john-mccain-defense-authorization-act/
I am a surviving widow of a Disabled American Veteran honorable discharge what benefits do the children and I have per Disney vacation?
Hi Charity,
As I understand it, all non-retired veteran offers are for the member not the spouse. (Unless you have a military spouse ID)