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 […]
Shipping items to your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel in 2023
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 […]
Garden Gallery Buffet Breakfast at Shades of Green
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 […]
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 dinner. The Garden Gallery features, a la carte items plus all you can eat buffets, which include a great selection of international cuisine plus a fresh fruit, soup and salad bar. (Updated April 2022) – Note the Garden Gallery […]
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. They offer sandwiches, wraps and burgers, salads, pizza, wings, and nachos. As you enter you’ll first come to a large outer room with […]
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 […]
Shades of Green Resort Mangino’s Steakhouse Review
Mangino’s Steakhouse is the single table service restaurant at 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 […]
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 […]
The Best Restaurants in Disney Springs: PLUS 3 Great Snack Locations
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 […]
10 Best Disney Snacks for Your Money
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
Lunch at House of Blues Orlando at Disney Springs
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 […]
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 […]
Disney Room Only Reservation Versus a Package What’s the Difference?
It’s very important to know the 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. Updated: July 2021 What’s a Package? A Disney package is normally when you combine another option with your Disney Resort Room […]
Rosies All American Cafe – Disney Hollywood Studios
Rosie’s All American Cafe is a patriotic themed Quick Service Restaurant at Disney Hollywood Studios. Rosie’s All American Cafe harkens back to World War 2 and the extraordinary effort made towards victory on the home front. From the implication that Rosie the Riveter has branched out to become a restaurateur to the Victory Garden in […]
11 Reasons Why I Don’t Recommend the Disney Dining Plan
We’ve only used the DDP 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 do not […]
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! Note: During these times of social distancing and reduced restaurant capacity, almost every Walt Disney World Quick Service Restaurant that is open is using Mobile Order as the only or primary way of getting […]
Shades of Green’s Shifting Military Discounts
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 2020) Room Rates Shades of Green […]
Disney World Free Dining Versus the Disney Armed Forces Salute Discounts
Walt Disney World has released their “Free Dining” Offer for 2020. I’m often asked if this is a better deal than the Disney Armed Forces Salute. Each year when Disney World announces their Free Dining Offer for the fall (this year summer too), readers will ask, “Is “Free Dining” better than using the Disney Armed Forces Salute […]
Shades of Green Savings in August Special 2020
Shades of Green has announced their Savings in August Special for 2020. This Special currently includes 2 adult breakfasts per day at the Garden Gallery Buffet. Dates: The current dates of this special are: 21 – 25 August & 28 – 31 August 2020 21 – 23 August & 28 – 31 August 2020 – This […]
On the Green Grill Review – Convenient to Shades of Green’s Magnolia Pool
The On the Green Grill is a Disney operated Quick Service location that is located right next to Shades of Green’s Magnolia Pool. For many years Shades of Green ran this location through a sub-contractor. But several years ago operation switched back to Disney. The Grill is literally steps away from the pool, making it […]
Universal Studios Orlando City Walk Military Discounts
Did you know that there are Military Discounts available for you at Universal Studios City Walk in Orlando, FL? While not quite as extensive as their local competition, there are a few restaurants that do offer nice military discounts. Margaritaville Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville offers a 10%military discount. Island Eats And Laidback Lyrics – Whether you arrive […]
Shades of Green Savings in August Special 2019
Shades of Green has announced their Savings in August Special for 2019. This Special currently includes 2 free adult breakfasts per day at the Garden Gallery Buffet. Dates: The current dates of this special are: 11 – 31 August 2019 4 – 6, 10 – 12, 16 – 18, & 30 – 31 August 2019 1 […]
Shades of Green’s Java Cafe – Get a Good Cup of Joe Before Hitting the Disney Parks
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 […]