Author: Jersey Diva
Photo credit: Familymwr
Being in the military has it’s perks. Even a trip to Walt Disney World offers many discounts for Service Members and their guests. A list of Military discounts offered at Walt Disney World can be found here.
There is even a Walt Disney World resort that takes pride in “Serving Those Who Serve.” You can see some photos of the resort on their official site.
Requirements
Shades of Green is a resort designed to provide R&R for service members and their families. Certain other people may be eligible as well. Eligibility Requirements can be found here. If you are eligible to make a reservation at Shades of Green, you may also sponsor up to three rooms. A dependent spouse may also sponsor up to three rooms as well. Certain conditions must be met before sponsoring a room. Those conditions are as follows:
- You must be a registered guest
- You must agree to be responsible for your guests
- You must be present when your guest checks in
- Your guest must check in on the same day as you and must leave either a day before or the same day as you
- You must be present when your guest purchases attraction tickets
- Your guest must agree to follow the rules of the resort
Rooms
Shades of Green offers standard oversized guest rooms. Each room has two queen size beds and a single sleeper sofa. Each room also comes with a coffeemaker, refrigerator, safe, hairdryer, iron and ironing board. As if that’s not great enough, each room offers either a private balcony or patio that overlooks a lush tropical setting.
Shades of Green also has suites!!! They have “five family” suites that sleep up to six people, and “six family” suites that sleep up to eight people. The suites include a separate bedroom with a king size bed and full size bath, living area with two queen size beds and another full bath, dining table with chairs, microwave oven, coffeemaker, refrigerator, safe, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.
Dining
If the great rooms aren’t enough to get you to choose Shades of Green, let me tell you about the dining options. If you are looking for an affordable, relaxed meal, check out Garden Gallery for breakfast. If a beverage or light snack is more your speed, check out Evergreens. The Express Cafe offers breakfast sandwiches, bagels, pastries, snacks, coffee, tea, cappuccino and espresso which are perfect to pick up before you head out for a day at the parks. On The Greens has a great lunch menu. Shades of Green’s featured restaurant is Mangino’s Bistro. They serve lunch and dinner and also have a to go service. Shades of Green even makes it’s own ice cream which they serve at “America, The Ice Cream Parlor.” If you are a fan of Starbucks coffee, Java Cafe is the place for you.
Spa
Ok, have you called to make your reservation yet? NO?!?!?! What more could you need? A spa? Yes, they have one of those too. Magnolia Spa is a three level spa operated by the current owner and operator of the Grand Floridian Spa. They offer massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. They also have salon and barber services so if the urge for a haircut hits you, you are in the right place.
Golf
Now I know you are making that reservation but here’s another wonderful amenity that Shades of Green has to offer….GOLF! Owned and operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management, the Magnolia and Palm are the two PGA Championship Golf Courses surrounding Shades of Green. Military rates are available for eligible guests.
Fitness Center
Shades of Green also has a fitness center, in case all the walking around the parks isn’t enough exercise for you. There is also a jogging path that runs from Shades of Green to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian resorts.
Photos
One of my favorite amenities that Shades of Green has is Photo Magic. They offer affordable packages to capture that wonderful family vacation.
Transportation & Extra Magic Hours
Just like the Walt Disney World Resorts, Shades of Green offers transportation to the theme parks for registered guests. Guests are also able to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours Benefit that is offered to guests of the Walt Disney World Resorts. Each day one of the four Disney Theme Parks opens an hour early or stays open up to an extra three hours after regular closing so Shades of Green and other Walt Disney World Resort guests can have extra time in the parks.
~Jersey Diva
Hello!
I”m not certain when this post was written but I”m curious if you have ever taken your daughters to The Magnolia Spa for a Princess Makeover? I will be staying at Shades of Green for the first time in January with my 4 &, 7 year old daughters. My older daughter heard about Bibbiti Boppiti Boutique from a friend who just got back from Disney. I was trying to avoid that particular experience because of the expense but also because my older daughter is not a super girly girl. I know she likes the idea of the princess makeover but I know she won’t enjoy the process – she barely tolerates hen I pull her hair up for sports or dance class and doesn’t like having her face painted etc (My four year old on the other hand would be in heaven as she loves accessories and dress up.) I also know that when they both see a bunch of other little princesses walking around the park they will want to look fancy too, because that’s exactly how I would have felt as a little girl.
I’ve read that the Harmony Barber shop will give them colorful streaks and glitter in their hair which sounds like it might be more my 7 year old’s cup of tea. (And the cost is reasonable)
Or do I just buy some glitter hairspray and bring our own tiaras and call it a day?
I need advice from a mom who has been there:)
Thank you!
Good evening Katie. Our daughters were the exact same way when they were young. One loved to dress up while we had to fight the other just to brush her hair. We have never done BBB due to the cost and the fear that the girls would be uncomfortable within hours. We had great success in taking costumes/dresses from home and adding our own glitter.
However, the Magnolia Spa in Shades of Green is very nicely decorated and much less crowded than BBB. If you choose to go with a more professional service this may be a better option. The relaxed atmosphere and lower cost may offer a more comfortable experience for both of your daughters. Not to mention, if you are able to utilize any Shades of Green services I say go for it. Why spend more for a similar service? And remember, your daughters do not have to go with the Princess theme. Pirates are perfectly acceptable as well! Here is a link to the Magnolia Spa Princess/Pirate Package…Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
http://www.shadesofgreen.org/princessmakeover.htm