Steve Bell On Using Amenities at Shades of Green Even If You Aren’t Staying There
By Dave Shute
(For the first page of this review of Shades of Green, see this.)
If you are military folk and don’t know Steve Bell, you should.
He writes Military Disney Tips and its blog, is the author of an ebook on Shades of Green, and is an expert on and advocate for military families making the best of their Disney and Orlando trips.
Steve is also the military moderator for this site.
For all these reasons, but especially his unmatched expertise on Shades of Green, I asked him to write about which Shades of Green amenities can be enjoyed by military families who aren’t even staying there.
Military folk aren’t staying at Shades for one of three reasons: they prefer an alternative; one of Disney’s deals is just too attractive; or they didn’t find out about Shades until it was too late.
But whatever the reason, there’s still much at Shades of Green open to them wherever they are staying!!
SHADES OF GREEN AMENITIES AVAILABLE TO ANY ELIGIBLE PERSON
By Steve Bell
Photo: Steve Bell
At Shades of Green you will find all of the amenities that you’d expect at the best Disney resorts such as a wide selection of restaurants, recreational options, valet parking, bellhop service, spa, fitness room, two pools, free Wi-Fi, and self-service laundry facilities, plus a military discounted ticket sales office and mini Exchange.
Did you know that you can use many of Shades of Green’s amenities even if you are not staying at Shades?
You may be a WDW day guest, staying at a Disney owned resort as yourfirstvisit.net recommends for first time Walt Disney World visitors who may never return, or you may be doing a “split stay” between Shades and a Disney resort. In all cases as a Military/DoD member you are always welcome to stop by Shades of Green. At least one member of the party must have a military ID, CAC or DoD CAC to use its amenities.
Exactly which amenities are non-Shades guests allowed to use?
- Shades of Green’s Ticket Sales Office
- The AAFES Store
- All of the restaurants at Shades
- The Magnolia Spa
All of these cost less than the comparable services at the Disney resorts and there is no sales tax added!
Other amenities such as pool and fitness center use are reserved only for those actually staying at Shades.
SHADES OF GREEN’S TICKET SALES OFFICE
With the introduction of WDW’s FastPass+ it has become best to purchase your Disney tickets well in advance. Those staying at Shades can do so ahead of time through its ticket office.
Those who do not care about FastPass+, and day guests, can stop by to buy their Disney World tickets here.
The ticket office doesn’t just offer Disney tickets–you can also find military discounted tickets for all of the major (and many minor) Central Florida attractions here. You’ll find tickets for:
- Universal Orlando
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Legoland Florida
- Busch Gardens
- Kennedy Space Center
- Wet n’ Wild
- Gatorland
- Many Orlando Dinner Shows
- And Disney World’s minor parks: Disney Quest, WDW’s Water Parks, and WDW’s Mini Golf Locations
The line for service can be long in the morning, so drop by in the afternoon for a shorter wait.
SHADES OF GREEN’S AAFES STORE
The Army Air Force Exchange Service operates what is essentially a shoppette at Shades of Green. Here you will find all of the sundries that you might need during your vacation. Some of the offerings are: all kinds of snacks and quick food options, a wide range of beverages (general consumption and adult -beer, wine/liquor), toiletries and medicines, Disney, Orlando and the various services souvenir items.
A military ID is required for the sale of liquor and tobacco products. [Note from Dave: Liquor is MUCH cheaper here than at the Disney resorts.]
Photo: Steve Bell
This is a great place to stock up on snacks and drinks for the room and theme parks at good prices.
SHADES OF GREEN DINING
You are always welcome at Shades of Green’s restaurants.
Photo: Steve Bell
Breakfast options are the Java Café and Express Café, both quick service (grab and go) locations, and the Garden Gallery buffet, which often has long lines for breakfast.
For lunch your options are the Java Café (Starbucks pastries), the Express Café which has great sandwiches, On the Greens Grill offering hot dogs and brats by the Magnolia Golf Course, Manginos Italian Restaurant (table service), and Evergreen Sports Bar on the weekend.
If you are around for dinner you can choose from the Garden Gallery which offers a regional/international buffet with daily rotating items, Manginos Italian Restaurant, the Java Café (Starbucks pastries), the Express Café, and Evergreen Sports Bar.
Shades of Green’s dining locations are cheaper to considerably cheaper that the corresponding Disney venues, so drop by here to get filled up.
Shades offers a handy chart indicating what is open when during your visit.
SHADES OF GREEN’S MAGNOLIA SPA
The Magnolia Spa is a full service spa operated by Niki Bryan Spa, which operates the WDW Spas.
They offer a full range of services at prices 15-25% lower than the Disney Spas:
- Massage
- Facials
- Manicures
- Pedicures
- Salon and Barber Services
- Packages, and
- Princess Makeovers
The full list of services and prices is here.
HOW TO GET TO SHADES OF GREEN
If you have your own car the easiest thing to do is drive yourself.
Follow the signs to the Magic Kingdom. When you arrive at the parking toll booth get in the furthest right lane that you can [Dave: where the camping trailer with its subtle Hidden Mickey is in the photo]–the very far right lane is reserved for Disney buses). Then tell the parking cast member that you are heading to Shades of Green. They’ll let you pass without paying for parking.
Merge right then drive straight ahead following the single lane, rather than the multiple lanes curving to the left to parking. Get into the left lane and turn left at the first stop light. Follow this road past the Polynesian Village Resort on the right and then turn right at the “T.” Shades will be just ahead on your left.
At the guard shack just show your ID (military ID, CAC or DoD CAC) and tell the security host what you are there for i.e. “I’m going to the ticket office to buy tickets.” They’ll then direct you to parking.
If you are depending on Disney Transportation you have a couple of options.
You can take Disney transportation to the Polynesian Village Resort or Transportation and Ticket Center and walk to Shades. From the Poly, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on your walking speed. Add another 5 to 10 minutes from the TTC.
Or, with a military/DoD ID for everyone in your party, you can use Shades of Green’s transportation.
You’ll first need to get to one of the Shades of Green drop off/pick up spots (at the TTC, Disney Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, both water parks, and Downtown Disney). The Shades bus will then take you right to the resort to run your errands. When finished just take the Shades bus to your desired destination, or walk to the Poly or TTC to use the transport options there.
EXTRA SAVINGS FOR YOUR DISNEY WORLD VACATION
Using these extra benefits available at Shades will help you save a little extra on your vacation.
You are eligible, so if you have the time to stop by, you should definitely use them. Drop by to pick up supplies, buy any tickets you still need, and grab lunch.
* * * * *
Thanks, Steve! This is great info for military folk not staying at Shades!
MORE RESOURCES FOR SHADES OF GREEN RESORT
PAGES: Previous | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
TOPICS IN THIS REVIEW OF SHADES OF GREEN
- Overview of Shades of Green
- Photo Tour of a Standard Shades of Green Room
- Amenities at Shade of Green
- The Pools at Shades of Green
- Using Shades of Green’s Amenities Even if You Aren’t Staying There
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10 comments
We are staying at the Polynesian in October and our friends will be at Shades of Green. I know they can’t come use the pool at Poly but can we go use the pool with them at the Shades of Green?
Wendy, they aren’t supposed to use the Shades pool unless they are staying there…
I needed a motorized scooter to get around during my February visit. The bell boy stand was very helpful with making arrangements then being sure I knew how to operate the rented scooter and later turning it back in.
Experienced no problems when using any of the Disney or SoG transports but getting over to Universal was another story. The transport (arranged thru the stand in the hall at SoG ) was not equipped for scooters or wheelchairs. We ended up making our own arrangements with Mears to be sure they would send a properly equipped vehicle.
Thanks, N. I. Riggs!
If you are not staying at Shades of Green. Can you park there for free for the day?
There is no free parking at Shades, Jay, and if busy they will restrict parking to registered guests.
What is the best transportation from either orlando airport to shades of green?
Hi there Aimee,
There are many different methods to get to Shades, from taxis (expensive), Mears Transport (scheduled runs), Uber (personal preference0, and Airport Shuttles/Limos.
I personally recommend Orlando Shuttle Service to my readers, they check rates on all the different companies so you can pick your price, and then offer a military discount as well through my site. Check them out here: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/military-discounts/military-discounts-on-orlando-shuttle-and-limo-services/
Does the AAFES Store or any of the other concessions/restaurants/etc. accept the Military Star Credit Card?
Hi there M. R.
The AAFES Store does accept the Star Card, but none of the other locations do on property as far as I know.
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