Introduction
As a military family, Disney has always been part of our story. Over the years, we’ve taken advantage of both Military Salute Tickets and Magic Your Way tickets (MYW are no longer – they are date based tickets) to make the parks more affordable. Later this year, we’ll be staying at Shades of Green for the very first time, and we couldn’t be more excited.
If you’re planning a Disney trip with military benefits, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Shades of Green Resort, military ticket options, and other discounts that can help you save while still keeping the magic alive.
What is Shades of Green at Disney World?
Shades of Green is an Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) resort located right on Walt Disney World property. Originally a deluxe resort owned by Disney as the Disney Inn, it was transformed into a retreat exclusively for military members and their families.
Why it’s unique:
- Resort rates are based on rank/pay grade, not seasonal Disney pricing.
- Rooms are larger than most Disney resort rooms — great for families.
- It’s located across from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and within walking distance to the monorail.
- Guests still enjoy many on-property benefits like early park entry and Disney transportation.
Who Can Stay at Shades of Green?
Eligible guests include:
- Active duty service members
- Retired military
- Reservists & National Guard
- Department of Defense civilians
- Eligible family members
Shades of Green vs. Disney Resorts
While Shades of Green isn’t owned by Disney anymore, it offers many of the same perks at a lower cost.
Pros of Shades of Green:
- Affordable pricing tied to rank
- Spacious rooms
- Two pools, multiple dining options, and a PX store on property
Cons of Shades of Green:
- Doesn’t include Disney dining plan options
- Transportation is Shades buses, not Disney buses – you’ll get dropped off at the TTC for Magic Kingdom as opposed to the front of the park.
- The theming is more “resort-style” and less “Disney immersive”
Disney Military Discount Ticket Options – 2025
Discount Ticket Eligibility
The type of ticket you are eligible for will be dependent on the type of ID you have. Please see the eligibility guide provided by the Shades of Green Ticket Office here: https://www.shadesofgreen.org/application/files/2517/0103/0538/2024_WDW_Military_Promotional_Tickets_ID_Guide.pdf
If you have any questions regarding your eligibility – please contact Shades of Green Directly at
Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort
1950 West Magnolia Palm Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Reservations & General Information:
+1 (888) 593-2242
Hours of operation Monday – Friday 0800 – 2100 hours,
Saturday 0800 – 1600 hours, Closed Sundays and all Federal Holidays
Military Promotional (Salute) Tickets
The best deal Disney offers to military families. Must meet specific guidelines to purchase and use.
- Deeply discounted 4-day, 5-day, and sometimes 6-day tickets.
- Available annually (renewed each fiscal year).
- Includes Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus options.
👉 Our Experience: We’ve used Salute tickets on several trips and saved hundreds of dollars compared to regular gate prices. They’re hands-down the best value for multi-day park visits.
Theme Park Tickets (Non-Promotional / Date-Based Tickets)
Since Magic Your Way is no longer in use, non-promotional tickets are now date-based/static. Key things:
- When you buy them you pick a start date, and the price is fixed based on that date
- These tickets have valid use periods (after the start date, within a window tied to the number of days on the ticket)
- There are perks like Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus / Water Park & Sports options, though those are add-ons.
🔍 Other Military Discounts & Details
- Tax-free purchasing when buying certain tickets through Shades of Green or military base ticket offices.
- Shades also sells single day water park tickets, after-hours party tickets, and other special event tickets (Think Halloween and Christmas Party Tix!)
- Exclusive discounts on Memory Maker (PhotoPass) when using military tickets.
- Military promotional tickets have a limit: up to 6 per eligible service member or spouse per year. One of the six must be used by the member or spouse.
AMD Vacations Tips (with Personal Experience)
- Shades of Green often books up – secure your dates early for the best availability
- Bring valid military IDs and/or VHIC / Proof of eligibility for Shades of Green before your stay. Any missing paperwork can lead to disappointment. If you are unsure at all – contact Shades of Green directly
- Compare Shades of Green room rates vs. Disney resorts with military-eligible promotions. Sometimes Disney resorts run special offers that make them competitive. But from our past experience with Salute Tickets, Shades tends to win on cost for the room + ticket combination.
- Because we’ll be staying at Shades of Green ourselves later this year, we’ll be closely watching how it feels compared to other resorts we’ve used (amenities, shuttle vs Disney transportation, etc.).
Conclusion
For military families, the updated ticket system might feel a bit more rigid without Magic Your Way, but the savings are still significant if you plan ahead. Shades of Green remains a strong value because of its eligibility, service-member-based pricing, and location.
While I am not affiliated with Shades of Green and I cannot book Shades of Green or assist with purchasing discount tickets – I highly recommend checking them out if you are Active Duty/Veteran/DoD Civilian/Service-Connected.
📩 If you want help comparing tickets, or getting the exclusive military discount that Walt Disney World Resort offers – I would be honored to help.