Why Stay at Disney World’s Shades of Green?

Shades of Green is the Walt Disney World Resort for Military Families!

This military owned and operated resort is an Armed Forces Recreation Center just like the ones that you may be familiar with overseas.

Military families are able to stay right on Walt Disney World property for reasonable prices.

Which leads me to my first reason to stay at Shades of Green.

Shades of Green’s Price

Shades of Green has set prices based upon your rank/grade or status, with the lower ranking folks paying less!

Shades of Green’s rates are constant. they are set for each fiscal year and are the same every day (discounts excluded), while Disney’s vary widely on a daily basis.

For example standard room rates are:

Shades of Green’s Fiscal 2022 rates are: $154 for category 1 (E-1 – E-6), $184 for category 2 (E-6 – O-3/CW-3), $194 for category 3 (O-4/CW-4 – O-10/CW-5). There is no tax at Shades of Green.

Disney’s 2022 rates with tax for typical resorts are:

• Disney Value (All-Star Movies) $123 – $264*
• Disney Moderate (Port Orleans – Riverside) $266 – $434*
• Disney Deluxe (Wilderness Lodge) $ $439 – $857*

* Depending on the time of year and day of the week

Shades of Green used to be a Disney owned Deluxe resort and retains many of the physical assets from that time, such as boasting the largest guest rooms on property!

Looking specifically at the category 1 price and the Disney Value rates, you can see that some of the time Shades of Green is cheaper and some of the time it is more expensive.

Now, those are the normal rates. Shades of Green does offer some discounts, they are for limited periods and are typically 10% to 15% off.

Disney offers the Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discount which is based on availability and offers from 30% to 40% off based on resort type.

I’m sure you can see that determining what would be your cheapest option, if that is your goal, will take a little research during your planning.

Further Reading for this Section:

• Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World
• Shades of Green’s Room Rates (more detailed info about the categories)
• Shades of Green’s Eligibility
• Shades of Green’s Rooms
• How does Shades of Green Compare to Disney Resorts in Price? (a much more detailed take on this question with graphs)
• How does Shades of Green Compare to Disney Value Resorts? (compares amenities)
• How does Shades of Green Compare to Disney Moderate Resorts? (compares amenities)
• How does Shades of Green Compare to Disney Deluxe Resorts? (compares amenities)
• Shades of Green’s Discounts
• Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discounts

Shades of Green’s Location

As I said above Shades of Green is right on Walt Disney World property! In fact it is close to the Magic Kingdom.

Staying on property versus a hotel off property comes with a list of benefits that you won’t get at the Days Inn, like limited attendance early entry or late stays in the Disney theme parks!

Being on property means quick commutes to the parks and all the other fun places on property. Just about every destination on Disney World  is about a 15 minute drive. And both Shades of Green and Disney have a fleet of buses to get you where you want to go. Disney also had monorails, water taxis, ferry boats, gondolas, and the Uber like Minnie Vans.

Shades of Green is also close enough to walk to some Disney destinations! Or to mix some walking into your travel plans.

When owned by Disney, Shades of Green was the Golf Resort and it is nestled between 2 of Disney’s PGA golf courses.

Further Reading for this Section:

• Shades of Green’s Disney Benefits
• Walt Disney World Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours
• Getting Around Disney World for Shades of Green Guests
• Walt Disney World Transportation Overview 
• Military Discounts on Disney World Golf

Shades of Green’s Amenities

As a former Disney World Deluxe Resort Shades of Green has great amenities! Super pools, lighted tennis courts, and a gym and full spa. There is also a variety of dining options from grab and go or counter service to buffet and table service restaurants.

But the 2 best amenities are the Military Ticket Sales Office and the AAFES Store!

The Shades of Green’s Ticket Office is just like the one that you probably have on your base and like your local office it is focused on the area in which it is located, in this case Central Florida. Not only can you purchase every type of Disney World military ticket, they also carry discounted tickets for Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, Legoland Florida, Kennedy Space Center and much, much more!

And the AAFES Store is just like the Shoppette or other quick stop store that you have on base, with the addition of Disney and Florida souvenirs. They have great prices on snacks and in room dining options. You can stock up on water bottles or adult beverages here as well.

Further Reading for this Section:

• Shades of Green’s Pools
• Shades of Green’s Gym
• Shades of Green’s Magnolia Spa
• Shades of Green’s Dining Options
• Shades of Green’s Military Ticket Office
• Shades of Green’s AAFES Store

Shades of Green’s Ambiance

Shades of Green is a beautiful resort! From the luscious ground to the beautiful architecture, Shades of Green creates a pleasant relaxing atmosphere.

Small by Disney World Standards, at 586 rooms you won’t find the hustle and bustle here that you do a the busy Disney resorts.

Shades of Green’s pools are pleasant to relax around! During the day they are lightly used, getting busier in the evening.

But the biggest thing, which I have been saying for years, and others have started to parrot, is that when staying at Shades of Green you are staying with you brethren. We’re all part of the same big family and due to that your encounters with others will be much more pleasant and friendly than the strangers at the Disney resorts.

Further Reading for this Section:

• Shades of Green’s History (a page so awesome that Shades of Green copied it on their site!)

Wrap Up

Well that’s it for my reasons why to stay at Shades of Green.

I hope that the info on this page and the ones that I’ve linked to will help you make an informed decision as to whether or not to stay at Shades of Green on your Disney vacation!

If you have any questions or comments, be sure to let me know in the comments section below!