Shades of Green Resort questions About This Page:

[Huntermom]

MY daughter joined the military so she could obtain a military scholarship to medical school. She is a LT right now and will remain so through medical school after which she becomes a captain.

I just realized she is eligible for Shades of Gray. I have been looking for information on it (I just bought annual passes for our end of April trip). It seems really hard to find.

Does anyone have an idea how much a room runs? Does it follow seasons like Disney?

Any other information on the resort will be appreciated.

[Taria]

Shades of green has their own website that has information on prices and seasons. It's shadesofgreen.org. I know the prices depends on military rank. I've looked into staying there because my dad is retired military.

[Huntermom]

I looked at that website but couldn't figure out what catagory she would be. I assume when they talk about O-1 to O 6, they are talking about officers ranks.

I am just curious as to how much of a discount it is over another WDW property. I do like the rooms are large but they don't appear particularly attractive to me.

[GingerJ]

LOL, I wondered why you were asking about that naughty book/movie (Shades of Grey, vs. Shades of Green)

I love SOG--the rooms are huge, and there's also a mini PX (Post Exchange store) , where you can get souvenirs, snacks, & other gift-shop type items at a big discount, as well as tax free. And the buses have a schedule they follow so you know when to catch
them, & the military guests are extraordinarily polite. It counts as a Disney resort for EMH, too. However, I'm fairly sure they don't do the magic bands for rooms; you can't charge to your room at the parks. Don't know about MDX. Oh, and no dining plan, but very cheap park tickets.

On the rates.. a 2nd lt. is an O-1, first lt. is O-2. And those are tax free as well.

Another thing to consider--a cast member told me the military rates are the absolute best rates.

Good luck!

[Huntermom]

Thanks Ginger. I am getting more excited all the time. I was not thrilled when she decided to take this route and know nothing about the military. I have a hard time remembering 1st Lt. is better than 2nd. The army is paying her $72,500 per year tuition as well as giving her a stipend and medical so she will graduate debt free (and also an officer). I have been told she will not be in direct harms way as doctors tend to not be too close to the action these days-her schooling around will cost the army around a half a million dollars.

My DD corrected me last night when I mentioned this revelation to her.

Neither she nor I (nor Disney) am into that book but with the movie just out. I may get more information if I google shades of green.

[Ashli]

Originally Posted by GingerJ

LOL, I wondered why you were asking about that naughty book/movie (Shades of Grey, vs. Shades of Green)

I just have to: Shades of Grey is actually a fantastic novel by Jasper Fforde that happens to be one of my favorite novels of all time. It has NO relation whatsoever to 50 Shades of Grey. It drives me crazy on a daily basis that the 50 author chose a title that was so close to the already published SoG and often confuses people about the two.

[HiddenMickey]

I'm going to change the Header to read the correct name.

BTW, Ashli, if you try to Google the book you talked about, it doesn't come up....only the trilogy shows on first page of results. Ugh.

The book I read that has a similar name (and liked a lot) was called "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys; a book about a girl in Russia during WWII.

[Huntermom]

Thank you Hidden Mickey. And thanks for the book recomendation and
thank you to Ashli. I am always looking for something good to read.

[GingerJ]

I didn't explain too well on my first post (I blame post-surgery drugs), but I intended to say that Disney's military rate for all their resorts are the best deals they offer, according to a CM.

[GingerJ]

Huntermom,
Congrats on your daughter getting med school paid for! That's awesome, and I'm sure that program is extremely hard to get into.
Btw, I retired as an AF officer about 6 years ago, and never regretted joining for a minute. She'll be fine, as I'm sure you know.


Oh, and the SOG rates are the same all year round.

[Huntermom]

Thanks, Ginger. I was not thrilled with the idea at first but she is excited about it and will be a fine officer. I have decided to take advantage of the many benefits but am finding with all the cutbacks, some things like a PX are hard to find.

She seriously considered the Air Force but the application process is pretty intense and she knew she had a good chance of getting the army scholarship so just applied to the one. I have been surprised at how many health professionals can get scholarships through the military. It's really not well publicized.

I still haven't figured ut why she gets a $20K signing bonus. She was thrilled with just having her tuition paid. All the rest is gravy. And she hopes to do her residency at Walter Reed but that is a bit off in the future.

[KathyL]

Shades of Green is a great place to stay...DH and I usually stay there. I just wanted to add that the pictures on the SOG website and AllEars.net are great if you want to visualize the resort. Also, www.militarydisneytips.com also has a lot of great information. Shades of Green does not follow "seasons". The price stays the same year round. Also, remember that the price you see is what you pay. You pay no additional taxes. The two pools on property have recently been refurbished/upgraded and they are beautiful. SOG runs their own busses. You can also walk over to the Polynesian and catch the monorail. Buses run on military time so you always know when to expect them. The rooms are huge (about 450 square feet) and while there is no theme to the rooms, they are always comfortable and clean. All rooms have either a usable balcony or patio. As you know, if you check the Disney website, you can also see what discounts are available for military. I believe that the current discounts end on September 30th and at this point it is unknown if the Disney discounts/promotions will be continued. SOG also offers specials throughout the year. However, the discounts/promotions are quick to go just like the ones at Disney. Good luck with your planning.

[Huntermom]

Thanks Kathy. I had actually already book our April may trip and bought annual passes (DD and I) and hoppers for our stay (son and DDin Law), Then I stumble upon military discounts. I will probably take advantage of annual pass discounts while we have them but did like the room size at Shades of Green.

[Rebracer]

I just wish that hotel participated in Magical Express. Last time I called they didn't because it technically isn't a disney owned hotel.

[KathyL]

Originally Posted by Rebracer

I just wish that hotel participated in Magical Express. Last time I called they didn't because it technically isn't a disney owned hotel.

Yes, it is a bummer that they don't participate in DME. However, I must admit that I really like using a Town Car Service. They meet you right at luggage pick-up, help take all your luggage to the car and some will even make a 30 minute stop at the grocery store if you want to pick up water, snacks and etc.