Shades of Green Resort: A Military Retreat in the Heart of Orlando

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Tucked away amidst the enchanting surroundings of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Shades of Green Resort stands as a welcoming haven for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. This unique and picturesque resort offers military personnel a place to relax, rejuvenate, and create lasting memories while enjoying all the magic that the Disney World Resort has to offer. In this article, we’ll explore the exceptional attributes that make Shades of Green Resort a beloved retreat for military families and why it’s a must-visit destination.

Shades of Green Resort is not just any hotel; it is a special and meaningful place designed exclusively for active-duty, reserve, and retired military members and their families. The resort’s mission is to provide affordable and exceptional accommodations, dining, and recreational experiences to those who have dedicated their lives to serving the nation. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the men and women of the military.

Nestled within the serene woodlands of Walt Disney World, Shades of Green Resort offers a lush and tranquil setting that contrasts beautifully with the bustling theme parks nearby. The resort’s grounds are impeccably landscaped, featuring manicured gardens, peaceful ponds, and shaded walking paths. This idyllic environment allows guests to unwind in a peaceful oasis while still being close to the excitement of the parks.

Shades of Green Resort provides a variety of spacious and comfortable accommodations to suit the needs of military families, from standard rooms to suites. Many rooms feature private balconies or patios with views of the resort’s lush grounds or one of its two golf courses, creating a serene backdrop for relaxation.

The resort offers a diverse range of dining options, including the Garden Gallery, Mangino’s, Evergreens Sports Bar & Grill, and Java Café, ensuring that guests have a variety of culinary experiences to choose from. Whether you’re craving a gourmet meal, a quick bite, or a refreshing beverage, Shades of Green Resort’s dining venues have you covered.

Shades of Green Resort provides an array of recreational activities to keep guests of all ages entertained. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy two championship golf courses, the Palm and the Magnolia, designed by Arnold Palmer. The resort also boasts a spacious pool area, fitness center, and a variety of sports facilities, including tennis courts and a basketball court.

One of the standout features of Shades of Green Resort is its prime location within Walt Disney World Resort. Guests are just a short drive or complimentary shuttle ride away from the world-class theme parks, including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This proximity allows military families to enjoy the magic of Disney with ease and convenience.

Shades of Green Resort is a remarkable and heartfelt tribute to the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. As a military retreat within the enchanting world of Walt Disney World, it offers affordable luxury, exceptional accommodations, and a tranquil escape from the demands of military life. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful refuge, a golfing getaway, or a memorable family vacation, Shades of Green Resort provides all this and more. It’s a place where military families can create cherished memories while experiencing the magic of Disney, making it a destination that truly honors and appreciates the service and sacrifice of the military community.

Disney World Issues Warning About Permanent Closure at This Disney Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Disney World has issued a new warning about a permanent closure coming to one of its resorts, effective May 1.

For Guests who visit the Walt Disney World Resort, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to interactive attractions, thrilling rides with the latest in cutting-edge ride technology, Broadway-style stage shows, and dining venues that feature menus for every taste and many diets, with gluten-free options, nut-free options, vegan and vegetarian options and more.

Disney World is, by far, The Walt Disney Company’s largest theme Park Resort, encompassing more than 43 square miles, though not all of Disney World’s property is developed at this time. The Resort includes four unique and distinct theme parks–Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as two whimsically-themed water parks–Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

When it comes to dining at Disney World, the Resort offers more than 200 different places to grab a bite, and Guests have three options when it comes to exactly how they want to grab those bites. They can choose table-service dining, during which they are seated and enjoy the comfort and convenience of a server during the meal, or they can choose quick-service dining, which allows Guests to order meals via the My Disney Experience mobile app and pick up their orders at the restaurant to enjoy in a self-seating atmosphere.

Guests also have the option of stopping at a kiosk or pick-up location inside the parks, such as Fife and Drum Tavern at the American Adventure pavilion on the World Showcase at EPCOT. These locations offer walk-up windows and limited offerings, but they’re perfect for Guests who don’t want to miss a beat as they explore the four theme parks.

But there’s perhaps no greater variation in offerings than across Disney World’s Resort Hotels. There are more than two dozen of them, each one complete with specific theming and associated decor and elements, dining options, shops, and other offerings that make for an exciting experience that can serve as a vacation getaway, even without ever visiting a theme park.

From the very first Disney Resort Hotels built in the early 1970s, like Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, to the newest ones, like Disney’s Gran Destino Tower and Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney World’s menu of Resort Hotels is vast, meaning there’s literally something for every Guest. Disney World offers different levels of hotels, and Guests can choose a Value Resort, Deluxe Resort, Moderate Resort, or Villa.

The list of Disney World Resort Hotels from which to choose is extensive and includes Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Fort Wilderness and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Yacht Club, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Coronado Springs, Saratoga Springs, Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts, and more.

Disney World even has a Resort Hotel option on property that caters exclusively to members of the U. S. Armed Forces. Shades of Green originally opened at the Disney World Resort in December 1973 as the Golf Resort. The hotel boasted 151 rooms and was unique in that it was built of wood and volcanic rock and constructed to have the appearance of a country club. It was once owned and operated by Disney World, but today it is operated by the United States Department of Defense.

The Resort is nestled between two PGA championship golf courses in a wooded setting, complete with lush gardens and spectacular vistas. There are more than 600 oversized guestrooms and guest suites inside the resort, many with private patios and balconies from which Guests can watch the sunrise every morning. The Resort books up quickly, and as such, reservations are accepted up to one year in advance of Guests’ planned visits.

One of the most popular experiences enjoyed by Guests of Shades of Green is strolling along a paved walkway from Shades of Green to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The beautiful half-mile walkway offers Guests scenic views as they make their way to the Polynesian, and it only takes 10 to 15 minutes to walk between the two Resort Hotels. The experience is so popular among Guests that Shades of Green issued a statement online on Tuesday, warning Guests that construction related to the World Drive Expansion Project at the Disney World Resort will lead to the permanent closure of the walkway:

“Starting Monday, May 1, 2023, the World Drive Expansion Project will begin between Shades of Green and the Grand Floridian Resort,” the hotel shared in a statement. “We know that it’s a lovely stroll on the walkway from our hotel to the Polynesian Village Resort, [but] unfortunately, it will no longer be accessible.”

Map of the walk from Shades of Green to the Polynesian Village Resort

But Shades of Green offered Guests a reprieve, stating that transportation offerings to and from the Resort Hotel will be increased to help Guests quickly arrive at their destinations around the Walt Disney World Resort:

“But don’t worry, we’ve got your back! We’re adding extra buses to the Transportation and Ticket Center route, so you can still easily get to your destination. And the best part? It’s totally free! If you prefer to use your own vehicle, you can still do so, but please note that you will be responsible for the parking fee at the theme parks. Alternatively, you could use a ride-sharing service like Uber, Lyft, or the Minnie Van™ service by Lyft – all available within the Walt Disney World Resort.”

shades of green walkway to disney's polynesian village resort

The Resort is one of the Armed Forces Recreation Center Resorts (AFRC) and is available exclusively to members of the U. S. Armed Forces, their families, and other authorized Guests, and eligibility requirements are strict:

Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients, veterans who are former POWs, all veterans with VA-documented service-connected disability ratings, and individuals assessed, approved, and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers are eligible Shades of Green Resort users when identified as follows:

Veterans must present a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) indicating at least one of the three acceptable eligibility statuses (PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW, or SERVICE CONNECTED); or HEC form H623A indicating placement in VA health care priority group 8E paired with an acceptable credential like a REAL ID-compliant State driver’s license or a U.S. passport.

To learn more about Shades of Green, click on the video below, or visit the official Shades of Green website by clicking here.

“Shades of Green” To Close Due to Coronavirus Concerns

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Shades of Green, a resort on Walt Disney World property fully owned and operated by the United States Department of Defense (DOD) for members of the military and their families, has announced that it is closing out of concerns for the current ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The resort will be asking any of its current guests to return to their home station as soon as they can make the necessary travel arrangements, with all cancellation fees now waived. As far as when they’ll be taking reservations again, new arrivals will be accepted after May 15th. Of course, this is not an official reopening date for Walt Disney World, but merely an estimate of when this specific resort expects to reboot its operations.

Shades of Green has since updated their home page to include information regarding the closure:

Shades of Green will temporarily close in response to the Coronavirus

The safety of our guests and staff is our primary concern at AFRC Resorts. Shades of Green will temporarily close to ensure the health and well-being of service members and their families during the COVID-19 crisis. Despite our best efforts to serve guests through this situation, it is now apparent that this crisis requires collective action to slow its progression in the United States. Guests will be asked to return to their home station as soon as they can make the necessary travel arrangements. We are waiving any cancellation or early departure fees for reservations during this time.

There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Shades of Green Resort.

Shades of Green will continue to accept reservations for new arrivals after May 15th. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and will make a determination to reopen in coordination with our partners at Disney World Resorts when it is safe for our guests and staff.

We will continue to support our staff and military community the best we can during this temporary closure. If you have questions regarding your reservation, please email us at guestsupport@shadesofgreen.org

We encourage all of our military guests to limit their travel during this time. All the world-class attractions, beautiful golf courses, and relaxing vacation amenities will all still be here when this crisis is finished and it is safe to travel once again. We look forward to having you stay with us in the very near future.