The Shades Of Green

Overview

Shades of Green was formerly known as The Golf Resort, and The Disney Inn. It was leased by the U.S. government for use by military personnel on R&R on 1st Feb 1994, and was subsequently bought by the U.S. government on January 12th 1996. When originally named the Disney Inn the hotel was considered to be a Deluxe or Premium resort, with a price tag to match. These days It is reserved for use by U.S. military personnel only via a 100-year leasing agreement between Disney and the U.S. Department of Defense. This means that for U.S. military personnel it represents fantastic value for money.

Note that despite it's Military status the golf courses within the resort area can still be used by non military personnel.

Shades of Green is nestled between two golf courses in a lush, wooded setting complete with deer and herons just a few minutes away from all of the major attraction parks, and directly across the way from the Polynesian Resort.

The hotel features 287 rooms (both smoking and non-smoking), each of which is around 480 square feet in size and features two queen-size beds, a day bed, a table with 2 chairs, an armoire with a TV and VCR, a good size closet with an electronic safe and sleeps up to five people comfortably. Most rooms have balconies that look out over a golf course or swimming pool. Some of the rooms also have a view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Guests staying at the Shades of Green can purchase attraction tickets at a discounted rate. As with other Disney hotels a free shuttle bus service runs from the hotel to Disney's Transportation and Ticket Center, where guests can catch free transportation to any of Disney's parks.

There is a weight room with Nautilus equipment, and an AAFES-run store that offers reasonably priced, tax-free Disney memorabilia. A laundry room enables visitors staying several days to travel light and keep their clothes clean.

Staff at the Shades of Green frequently arrange special seasonal activities, such as Easter-Egg hunts (Easter), Snowman building competitions bobsleigh and ice skating (Christmas), and other similar activities especially for guests' children to help keep them occupied while parents relax at the resort.

Prices are substantially lower than for other Disney resorts of a similar size, though this is reflected in the room occupancy usually being at least 20% higher than for the other hotels in the area, so advance reservations of at least 4 or 5 months is highly recommended.

The guest rooms accommodate up to five adults, while the resort features two championship golf courses and a 9-hole executive course, two lighted tennis courts, two heated swimming pools along with a children's pool and play area, and a Fitness Room a Gift Shop, Video Arcade and has full Laundry Facilities. In-Room refrigerators are an optional extra for $5.00 per day.

The on-site Garden Gallery restaurant is open from 0700 to 1100 for breakfast, and 1700 to 2200 for dinner. The Evergreen Sports Club offers lunch and dinner specials and is open from 1100 to 2400.

There are three restaurants and lounges at the resort, The Garden Gallery, Evergreens Sports Bar and The Back Porch Lounge, and three pools one of which is reserved specifically for toddlers and young children.

Room rates are based on rank or paygrade. For more information contact Shades of Green, PO Box 22789, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-2789. Hotel Direct: Phone 1-407-824-3400 - Fax 1-407-824-3460.

For Reservations: Phone 1-407-824-3600 - Fax 1-407-824-3665.

Regular buses run to Ticket and Transportation Center, MGM, and Blizzard Beach.Ê The buses start running for TTY at 0715 and continue through 0230 at roughly 20 minute increments.Ê Guests also have all the transportation privileges of any WDW resort guest.

Armed Forces Recreation Centers are centrally-managed resort hotels operated by the United States Army. These affordable Joint Services morale, welfare, and recreation facilities are located at ideal vacation destinations and offer a full range of resort opportunities for servicemembers, their families, and other members of the total Defense Force. Armed Forces Recreation Center resort hotels are located at Honolulu, Hawaii (Hale Koa Hotel); Orlando, Florida (Shades of Green); Garmisch and Chiemsee, Germany (Armed Forces Recreation Center-Europe); and Seoul, Korea (Dragon Hill Lodge). Armed Forces Recreation Centers are totally self-supporting and funded in full by nonappropriated fund revenues generated internally from operations.

Shades of Green is dedicated to enhancing readiness and morale of the combined Armed Forces by providing affordable, first-class accommodations in a premier setting combined with friendly and enthusiastic service in an environment revolving around respect, dignity, and teamwork.