Drowning in the details

[McMealue18]

Help! I'm trying to plan a tree to WDW and Universal Orlando for September 2020. We are a military family, so we would like to take advantage of those options. I'm a pro when it comes to Disneyland, but this is my first time going to Disney World and I want to make it special for my family. Any recommendations on what resort to stay at, how military discounts work, and the dining plan would be very appreciated! Do you have to pay upfront when making a resort reservation? I've heard that you can sometimes get free dining plans if you book in September, how does that work? Hopefully some pros can shed some light! TIA

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

Help! I'm trying to plan a tree to WDW and Universal Orlando for September 2020. We are a military family, so we would like to take advantage of those options. I'm a pro when it comes to Disneyland, but this is my first time going to Disney World and I want to make it special for my family. Any recommendations on what resort to stay at, how military discounts work, and the dining plan would be very appreciated! Do you have to pay upfront when making a resort reservation? I've heard that you can sometimes get free dining plans if you book in September, how does that work? Hopefully some pros can shed some light! TIA

If you're a military family, you might qualify to stay at Shades of Green. I recommend looking into that. It's a nice hotel close to Magic Kingdom, with bargain prices by Disney standards. I think they now get access to EMH & 60-day FPs.

 

[lorenae]

I'm staying at Shades of Green, and also ordering my tickets from them. You can get tickets on base if you are near one, or order them from Shades of Green. SOG's price is based on the service member's rank, so it can really be a great bargain for some enlisted men.

There are discounts for rooms available in other resorts too, but not sure how that works with free dining (which is usually added on to a rack-rate room if available).

The SOG military tickets come at a great price for Disney, Universal, and Sea World I believe, and maybe others.

For the reservation, you only pay one night's cost as a deposit, which is refundable.

 

[sweetyk83]

As a military family you can stay at Shades of Green which is a VERY reasonably priced resort for what they offer compared to Disney resorts. Good location, balconies, larger rooms, cheaper restaurants than Disney resorts.
We have usually stayed at Disney resorts with the military discount. We are also going in Sept 2020! Usually I stalk every website/facebook page with military Disney info that I can until military discounts are released for Disney resorts. Usually at the end of Sept. They offer up to 30% on value, 35% on moderate, and 40% on deluxe. Last year I found that they mostly offered 35% off deluxe, not sure on the others. Call ASAP! Discounted rooms are extremely limited and will fill up FAST!
Depending on your family size and your rank Shades of Green may be a better, and cheaper option for you. If you are higher ranking then you may be better off at a Disney Resort. I recommend you decide what your room budget is and go from there!
They offer Military Salute tickets that are a GREAT deal! We like to order them ahead of time from Shades of Green because they will mail them to you already activated and you won't have to stop by guest services to activate them before entering the parks.
They also offer a discounted PhotoPass. I believe it's $98?
If you use a military room discount at a Disney Resort you can not get free dining or any other discount BUT you can add the dining plan to your reservation and it would be considered a package, so a $200 deposit. You would just add your salute tickets to your account once you got them. (You can not get the Disney dining plan if you stay at Shades of Green.)
Hope that helps a bit! Feel free to send me a message if you have any other questions! We have gone to Disney World three times with military discounts and have stayed at Disney resorts and Shade of Green!