Shades of Green’s Red, White, and Blue Salute Package or the Sunrise Package. Should you choose either?
The Red, White, and Blue Package and Sunrise Package are year-round specials offered by Shades of Green that include meals at Shades of Green.
Note the meals included in these packages are only available at Shades of Green in the Garden Gallery buffet, not at Disney World restaurants.
Let’s Compare
Shades of Green has 3 price categories, I will use a CAT-2 in my price examples, double occupancy, and will NOT use any children in my calculations but will mention them.
Note: this post has been updated with the Shades of Green increased Fiscal Year 2020 (1 Oct 2019 – 30 Sep 2020) room prices.
First, The “standard” room rate for a CAT 2 guest (double occupancy) is $154/night.
The rooms will sleep 5, but you need to add $15/night for each additional adult 18+. Children under 18 are free for room rates.
Don’t forget the $24 per night to park your own car in the garage!
Second, the Garden Gallery buffet prices are:
Breakfast – $13.95 for adults (12+), $7.95 for kids 5-11, kids 2-4 are $2.95, and kids under 2 are free.
Dinner – $18.95 for adults (12+), $7.95 for kids 5-11, kids 2-4 are $3.95, and kids under 2 are free.
The Packages
The Red White and Blue Package
Requires a 4 night minimum stay and includes breakfast and dinner. All Meals are buffet meals in the Garden Gallery.
A CAT-2, 4 night Red White and Blue Package costs $874.80.
For this price you receive the items below followed by they regular value.
- 4 nights stay at $154 per night = $616.00
- 4 breakfast buffets for 2 people per day $13.95 each person = $111.60
- 4 dinner buffets for 2 people per day $18.95 each person = $151.60
- Tips on meals at the restaurant standard 16% when added automatically = $42.11
Total Package Value= $921.31
The FULL price 4-night stay costs $921.31 and the Red White & Blue Package price is $874.80, you will save $40.51 over a 4 day period which is $11.63 per day.
Meal Use
These breakfasts/dinners must be used consecutively and they are ALL prepaid, if you skip a meal you loose its value.
So if you decide to go to Teppan Edu in EPCOT for a dinner and spend $100 there, you also lose out on that evening’s buffet at SoG. The same for going to a character breakfast at Chef Mickeys. you will actually lose money!
Red White and Blue FY2020 prices per night:
- Category 1 – $190.20 per night
- Category 2 – $218.70 per night
- Category 3 – $228.420 per night
Shades of Green’s Regular Rates
Not available for March, June, July, Thanksgiving Week, Christmas Week, during special events and other designated dates.
The Sunrise Package
Requires a 4 night minimum stay and includes breakfast. All Meals are buffet meals in the Garden Gallery.
A Cat-2 4 night Sunrise Package stay costs $689.00.
For this price you receive the items below followed by they regular value.
- 4 nights stay at $154 per night = $616.00
- 4 breakfast buffets for 2 people per day $13.95 each person = $111.60
- Tips on meals at the restaurant standard 16% when added automatically = $17.86
Total Package Value= $745.46
The FULL price stay costs $745.46 and the Sunrise Package price is $689.00, you will save $37.46 over a 4 day period which is $9.36 per day.
Meal Use
This breakfast offer must be used consecutively and is also ALL prepaid so if you decide to eat at a character breakfast such as Crystal Palace, you pay the $100 to eat there and lose money on your room package.
Sunrise FY2020 prices per night:
- Category 1 – $148.50 per night
- Category 2 – $177.00 per night
- Category 3 – $186.50 per night
Shades of Green’s Regular Rates
Not available for March, June, July, Thanksgiving Week, Christmas Week, during special events and other designated dates.
Dining Convenience and Desires
Two things to consider when deciding on if these packages with meals are for you, are convenience and dining desires.
Breakfast:
- Do you want a big heavy $14 breakfast every day? especially if you are heading out to theme parks with awesome snacking options available there?
- Do you want to pre-pay $14 and only eat a light breakfast (losing money)?
- Do you have plans for a Disney Restaurant breakfast which would cause you to lose the money for that meal pre-paid for at Shades of Green?
- Do you want to get to the parks as quickly as possible in the morning? The Garden Gallery has waits for seating which are often long during peak breakfast hours.
- Is a quick Starbucks and pastry from the lobby Java Cafe a better fit and value?
Dinner:
- Do you want a big $18 buffet dinner every day? especially if you’ve stuffed yourself on Disney food and treats all day?
- Do you have plans for a Disney Restaurant dinner which would cause you to lose the money for that meal pre-paid for at Shades of Green?
- Do you want to have to travel back to Shades of Green for dinner, losing valuable theme park time and then have to spend time traveling back to the park for nighttime shows (2-3 hours wasted)?
- Do you want to have to cut your day short to get back for dinner at a reasonable time or eat very late?
Additional People
Each additional adult or any child over 6 adds to the price of these packages.
- Breakfast buffets $13.95 each for adults (12 and up)
- Dinner buffets $18.95 each for adults (12 and up)
- Kids 5 – 11 breakfast and dinner buffets $7.95 (4 – 11 yrs)
- Kids under 4 free
Full Pricing Details
Here are the nightly package rates for both packages and how much they “save” per night:
Red White and Blue Package
- Category 1 – $190.20 per night = $10.13 savings per night
- Category 2 – $218.70 per night = &11.63savings per night
- Category 3 – $228.20 per night = $12.13 savings per night
Sunrise Package
- Category 1 – $148.50 per night = $7.86 savings per night
- Category 2 – $177.00 per night = $9.36 savings per night
- Category 3 – $186.50 per night = $9.86 savings per night
Weigh Your Options!
You’ll have to evaluate your family’s preferences to decide if these packages make sense for you.
Do your research as Shades of Green does offer some short-term discounts of 10% to 15% off room rates and sometimes these include breakfast at a higher price point.
Also check out the Disney Armed Forces Salute room discounts and compare.
Have you used one of these discounts, or the short-term discounts at Shades? Let us know in the comments 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
- How to make reservations at Shades of Green
- 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 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
- 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! |
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