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Home » Dining

11 Reasons Why I Don’t Recommend the Disney Dining Plan

5 May 2026 by Steve Bell 1 Comment

Walt Disney World Theme Parks

We’ve only used the Disney Dining Plan once during over 50+ trips to Walt Disney World since the Disney Dining Plan started in 2005! And that one time was only for our research. Why, you ask, would such a seasoned Disney family not use the dining plan that so many people rave about? Because we […]

Filed Under: Disney Dining Tagged With: Dining, Walt Disney World

Garden Gallery Buffet Breakfast at Shades of Green

1 March 2026 by Steve Bell 8 Comments

shades of green garden gallery buffet

On a recent trip to Shades of Green, Walt Disney World’s Military only Resort, we dropped by the Garden Gallery for breakfast. The Garden Gallery is Shades of Green’s Buffet Style restaurant, which is open for breakfast and dinner. The Garden Gallery serves a traditional American style buffet breakfast every morning. You’ll be sure to […]

Filed Under: Shades of Green Tagged With: Dining, Shades of Green, Shades of Green Tour

Shades of Green Resort Garden Gallery Restaurant Review

1 March 2026 by Steve Bell 2 Comments

Shades of Green Resort Garden Gallery Restaurant Review

The Garden Gallery is Shades of Green’s buffet-style restaurant, which is open for breakfast and take-out only dinner. The Garden Gallery features a la carte items plus an all-you-can-eat buffet for breakfast, which includes a great selection of: Eggs / Bacon / Sausage / Corned Beef Hash / Breakfast Potatoes / Breakfast Pastries and Made-to-Order […]

Filed Under: Shades of Green Tagged With: Dining, Shades of Green, Shades of Green Tour

Shades of Green Resort Express Cafe Review

1 March 2026 by Steve Bell Leave a Comment

Shades of Green Resort Express Cafe Review

The Express Cafe is a great place to grab a quick breakfast while on the run to Walt Disney World’s theme parks. The Cafe  conveniently located right on the way to Shades of Green’s theme park bus loading area. You can grab a to-go breakfast right on your way! Note: no open food is allowed on […]

Filed Under: Shades of Green Tagged With: Dining, Shades of Green, Shades of Green Tour

Shades of Green Resort Mangino’s Steakhouse Review

1 March 2026 by Steve Bell 2 Comments

Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World for Veterans

Mangino’s Steakhouse is the single table service restaurant at Shades of Green, Walt Disney World’s Military Resort. Mangino’s Steakhouse is located on the lower lobby level of Shades of Green’s main building. The former Italian restaurant is still decorated in country farmhouse style, with mixed sets of tables and chairs. There are several rooms in […]

Filed Under: Shades of Green Tagged With: Dining, Disney Parks Snob, Shades of Green

Shades of Green Resort Evergreen’s Sports Bar Review

1 March 2026 by Steve Bell Leave a Comment

Shades of Green Resort Evergreen's Sports Bar Review

Evergreen’s is a Sports Bar conveniently located next to the Mill Pond Pool at the Shades of Green Resort. It is a good option for some lighter fare while staying at Shades of Green. They offer sandwiches, wraps and burgers, salads, pizza, wings, and nachos. As you enter you’ll first come to a large outer […]

Filed Under: Shades of Green Tagged With: Dining, Shades of Green, Shades of Green Tour

Dining Options at Shades of Green – Disney World’s Military Resort

28 October 2025 by Steve Bell 12 Comments

Dining Options at Shades of Green - Disney World's Military Resort

Shades of Green the military-owned and operated resort on Walt Disney World property offers many dining options. Both those staying at Shades and those stopping by for a visit* (perhaps to buy Theme Park tickets or shop at the AAFES Store) are eligible to dine at any of the resort’s restaurants. Dining Options at Shades […]

Filed Under: Shades of Green Tagged With: Dining, Shades of Green, Shades of Green Packages, Shades of Green Tour, Walt Disney World

Is the Disney Dining Plan Available with Military Tickets?

29 May 2025 by Steve Bell Leave a Comment

Walt Disney World Theme Parks

Can military families use the Disney Dining Plan if they’re buying discounted tickets? It’s a common question, and the answer isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. The real key to unlocking the Disney Dining Plan isn’t the ticket type at all—it’s where you’re staying. If you’re staying at a Disney-owned resort, you’re in business. If […]

Filed Under: Back to Basics, Disney Dining, Disney Military Discounts Tagged With: Dining

Disney Room Only Reservation Versus a Package What’s the Difference?

26 May 2025 by Steve Bell 4 Comments

Military Discounts for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Other Attractions

It’s very important to know the difference between Disney’s Room Only and Package Reservations! Flexibility is often very important to US Military Families, and your selection affects your payment and cancellation schedules. What’s a Package? A Disney package is normally when you combine another option with your Disney Resort Room Reservation. The other option(s) could […]

Filed Under: Disney Resorts Tagged With: Dining, Military Discounted Rooms, military discounted tickets, Walt Disney World

Shipping items to your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel in 2026

23 December 2024 by Steve Bell 6 Comments

Upgrade Your Disney Room For Free

Shipping items to your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel can be a great alternative to packing those items, lugging them to the airport, and paying airline fees! Rather than packing food, snacks, or other items in your suitcases, you can have packages shipped right to your Walt Disney World Resort. You can mail them from […]

Filed Under: Planning Tagged With: Dining, Military Disney Tips, Walt Disney World

The Various Types of Disney Food Service

7 December 2024 by Steve Bell Leave a Comment

Tony's Town Square Dining Room

From grab-and-go bites to elegant sit-down meals, Disney food service has something for everyone! When you think of Walt Disney World or Disneyland, iconic attractions and magical experiences might be the first things that come to mind, but dining is an adventure all its own! With so many dining options to choose from, Disney makes […]

Filed Under: Disney Dining Tagged With: Dining

Beat the Lines – Mobile Order at Walt Disney World Counter Service Restaurants

23 April 2024 by Steve Bell 5 Comments

Beat the Lines - Mobile Order at Walt Disney World Counter Service Restaurants

Waiting in line for Walt Disney World Attractions is a given. But, waiting in line to eat doesn’t have to be! The Solution My Disney Experiences App Mobile Order! Here is a portion of the Flame Tree Barbecue Menu. When you use Mobile Order your order will print out ahead of all the people standing […]

Filed Under: Disney Dining Tagged With: Dining, Walt Disney World

Walk Through America’s History In Disney’s Liberty Square

10 April 2024 by Steve Bell Leave a Comment

Welcome to another installment of my Patriotic Disney Series. This time let me show you around Liberty Square. Walt Disney loved America so much that much of his work paid tribute to the American Spirit. Many of Walt’s live action movies took place during the early years of our country, as did many of his […]

Filed Under: Patriotic Disney Tagged With: Dining, Magic Kingdom, Patriotic Disney, Shopping

Disney World 2024 Free Dining Versus the Disney Armed Forces Salute Discounts

3 January 2024 by Steve Bell 4 Comments

Walt Disney World has released their “Free Dining” Offer for select travel dates in July through September 2024. But this offer is only for Disney+ Subscribers! These recent Disney+ only offers are Disney’s attempt to boost Disney+ subscriptions… Offer a Theme Park discount that is only available to Disney+ subscribers to get people to sign […]

Filed Under: Disney Discounts Tagged With: Dining, Military Discount, Walt Disney World

Planning Your 2024 Disney Vacation for Military Families

24 December 2023 by Steve Bell 2 Comments

Merry Christmas to all! Finally, all the shopping and preparation for Christmas is over. All the presents have been opened and the kids are enjoying all of their new toys. This is traditionally (based on my historical traffic numbers) the time that Mom and Dad start to plan for next year’s vacation. In an effort […]

Filed Under: Disney Tips Tagged With: Dining, Disneyland, Military Discounted Rooms, military discounted tickets, Shades of Green, Transportation, Walt Disney World

The 50’s Prime Time Cafe Clean Plate Club

29 September 2023 by Erin Schreiver Leave a Comment

Get a Free Souvenir in Hollywood Studios by joining the 50’s Prime Time Cafe Clean Plate Club! People are always on the hunt for the best souvenirs from the most Magical Place on Earth, but what if we told you that there are even some souvenirs that you can get for FREE! Today we’re talking […]

Filed Under: Disney Dining Tagged With: Dining, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World

Shades of Green’s Java Cafe – Get a Good Cup of Joe Before Hitting the Disney Parks

1 July 2023 by Steve Bell Leave a Comment

Shades of Green Re-Open at Walt Disney World

A Walt Disney World morning challenge, you and your family are trying to make the morning rope drop at the Magic Kingdom. You want to be one of the very first to ride Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, and quickly move on to Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s a Small World before your Character Breakfast at […]

Filed Under: Shades of Green Tagged With: Dining, Shades of Green

5 Most Romantic Restaurants in Walt Disney World

13 February 2023 by Erin Schreiver Leave a Comment

You may think that Walt Disney World is all about cartoon characters and cotton candy, but we’re here to tell you that it is so much more! With Valentine’s Day coming, Military Disney Tips is here to share all of the most romantic restaurant locations in Disney World to sweep her off her feet. 1.   […]

Filed Under: Disney Dining Tagged With: Dining, Walt Disney World

Shades of Green’s Shifting Military Discounts

2 February 2023 by Steve Bell 7 Comments

Shades of Green Resort

The Shades of Green Resort is an Armed Forces Recreation Center located on Walt Disney World property near Orlando Florida. Shades of Green opened it’s doors on 1 February 1994 in the resort that was previously known as the Disney Inn/Disney Golf Resort which was owned by Disney World. (Updated January 2023) Room Rates Shades of Green […]

Filed Under: Shades of Green Tagged With: Dining, Military Discounted Rooms, Shades of Green, Shades of Green Packages

What to Eat at Every EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Booth 2022

13 October 2022 by Erin Schreiver Leave a Comment

What to Eat at Every EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Booth 2022

EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival is one of EPCOT’s most popular festivals every year. Who doesn’t like to celebrate food, though we can’t help but notice that really it should be called the Food & Beer Festival, but we guess it doesn’t exactly sound as classy. We ventured all the way around the World Showcase […]

Filed Under: Disney Dining Tagged With: Dining, EPCOT, EPCOT Festivals

The Best Restaurants in Disney Springs: PLUS 3 Great Snack Locations

29 September 2022 by Steve Bell Leave a Comment

Disney Springs

There are dozens of restaurants in Disney Springs to choose from, all with different themes, cuisines, and audiences. Use our guide to help you choose what restaurants are perfect for your family! Best Restaurant for Young Children T-Rex Taking children to restaurants can be stressful! They get bored, they get picky, and then you feel […]

Filed Under: Disney Dining Tagged With: Dining, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World

10 Best Disney Snacks for Your Money

19 September 2022 by Erin Schreiver 2 Comments

A Mickey Mousse Cake

If you’ve never been to Walt Disney World you may think that it’s just filled with hot dogs, pizza, popcorn and burgers… Ok, it is, but the parks are also loaded with amazing snacks and treats that are anything but boring, but what snacks are not only worth your stomach space, but also worth your […]

Filed Under: Disney Dining Tagged With: Dining, Treats, Walt Disney World

Best Places to Eat with Restrictive Diets: Magic Kingdom

12 September 2022 by Erin Schreiver Leave a Comment

Best Places to Eat with Restrictive Diets: Magic Kingdom

Whether you have allergies, are vegetarian/vegan, gluten free, or just trying to eat healthy, Disney tries to have fun and delicious food to accommodate you! It can be intimidating to pre-plan a vacation if you have a restrictive diet, so we prepared this guide. For each Quick Service location we will highlight a healthy option, […]

Filed Under: Disney Dining Tagged With: Dining, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Shades of Green Garden Gallery Marketplace Takeout Closed for Updates August 2022

29 July 2022 by Steve Bell Leave a Comment

Shades of Green Garden Gallery Marketplace Takeout Closed for Updates August 2022

Shades of Green’s new Garden Gallery Marketplace will be closed for Updates the second half of August 2022. The Garden Gallery Marketplace offers dinner takeout in place of their pre-shutdown Garden Gallery Dinner Buffet. This newish service will be closed from 16 August through 31 August 2022. This does not affect breakfast at the Garden […]

Filed Under: Shades of Green Tagged With: Dining, Shades of Green, Walt Disney World

Lunch at House of Blues Orlando at Disney Springs

18 July 2022 by Erin Schreiver Leave a Comment

Disney Springs Military Discounts At Walt Disney World

We recently went to House of Blues Orlando to enjoy lunch on a Disney Springs day with another MilSpouse. But First, Did You Know About Military Discounts in Disney Springs? Walt Disney World has great ticket discounts and hotel room discounts for military members and their families, but discounts end there. There are no military discounts […]

Filed Under: Disney Dining Tagged With: Dining, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World

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