Just found out we are eligible to stay at Shades of Green

[hmansionlover]

Just found out after 30 years that as Department of Defense civilian employees we are eligible. Could have saved many many thousands of dollars over the last twenty years but, that's the way it goes. Has anybody been there recently? Have heard in the past it was getting dated and in need of sprucing up.

 

[disney-inspired]

Just found out after 30 years that as Department of Defense civilian employees we are eligible. Could have saved many many thousands of dollars over the last twenty years but, that's the way it goes. Has anybody been there recently? Have heard in the past it was getting dated and in need of sprucing up.

I have seen recent vlogs and it looks pretty nice. We're considering it for an upcoming trip b/c Disney properties are so expensive now.

 

[hmansionlover]

RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have stayed onsite I think ten twelve times in the last 20 years and the prices keep going up and the perks for staying onsite keep going down and down and down. Have to go in January to see Daughter in Cheer competition. After that NO MORE. We prefer staying at Universal as their prices are more based in reality.

 

[livbeatles]

There is a dedicated Shades of Green thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/s...y-world-resort-information-questions.2912833/

We've stayed there yearly since 2015 and have always had very positive experiences.

 

[Specter]

We were there in March of this year. The cost/value is absolutely unquestionable. There is no other room of that size that is that close to the parks for that price, period. My family also really enjoys the breakfast buffet each morning. The food is fresh and always hot, good variety, and our family of 3 can eat for the same money or less than 1 of us at an "On property" buffet.

Now, that said, I am one of those people that said that it is starting to feel a little dated after our last trip.

The grounds looked great and the room was clean, but just generally felt a little...old? I felt like it needed a fresh coat of paint and a general touch up. The bathroom in particular. Even the towels were starting to get worn through, literally. There were several in the initial batch as well as replacements throughout the stay that had a hole or a rip or a long, running threads.

There is nothing that is gross or unacceptable, nothing dangerous it just feels like it needs a renovation, some new linens, and it will be good as new.

 

[georgina]

Just found out after 30 years that as Department of Defense civilian employees we are eligible. Could have saved many many thousands of dollars over the last twenty years but, that's the way it goes. Has anybody been there recently? Have heard in the past it was getting dated and in need of sprucing up.

Found that out recently myself, as son-in-law is also a civilian DOD employee, and we have a new grandson to introduce to WDW. My nephew's wife is in the National Public Health Service and they have stayed there several times and enjoyed it.

 

[Angela63]

Just found out after 30 years that as Department of Defense civilian employees we are eligible. Could have saved many many thousands of dollars over the last twenty years but, that's the way it goes. Has anybody been there recently? Have heard in the past it was getting dated and in need of sprucing up.

 

[Angela63]

Same here! We have booked our first night in January - couldn't book the whole stay because they sell out fast. I'll be interested in checking it out.

 

[disneyseniors]

Just found out after 30 years that as Department of Defense civilian employees we are eligible. Could have saved many many thousands of dollars over the last twenty years but, that's the way it goes. Has anybody been there recently? Have heard in the past it was getting dated and in need of sprucing up.

OP, I was wondering if my husband is eligible for this too. He is retired military after serving 7 years on the Army Reserves. He signed up before the Vietnam war caught fire and he was never called up, Thankfully.
I've always wondered if he qualified being that he was only in the reserves. Thanks !

 

[DisneyOma]

OP, I was wondering if my husband is eligible for this too. He is retired military after serving 7 years on the Army Reserves. He signed up before the Vietnam war caught fire and he was never called up, Thankfully.
I've always wondered if he qualified being that he was only in the reserves. Thanks !

I don't see why not, if they allow civilians to stay there, why not a reservist?

 

[lanejudy]

I was wondering if my husband is eligible for this too.

I don't see why not, if they allow civilians to stay there, why not a reservist?

There is a chart at the bottom of this page with eligibility requirements:
https://www.shadesofgreen.org/about-shades-green/eligibility

"Retired" in military parlance does not simply mean honorably discharged.

I believe any honorably discharged veteran is allowed to book in January and September. Pending availability of course.

 

[disneyseniors]

There is a chart at the bottom of this page with eligibility requirements:
https://www.shadesofgreen.org/about-shades-green/eligibility

"Retired" in military parlance does not simply mean honorably discharged.

I believe any honorably discharged veteran is allowed to book in January and September. Pending availability of course.

Oh, yes, he was honorably discharged. I guess I just assumed that LOL! Thanks for the site to check.

 

[RoseGold]

Shades of Green counts as a deluxe for the late extended hours, currently Mon Epcot, Weds MK.

 

[lanejudy]

Oh, yes, he was honorably discharged. I guess I just assumed that LOL! Thanks for the site to check.

So sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I was questioning his discharge status -- I'm sure he was honorably discharged from the Reserves. You had referred to him as "retired" which is different. He likely is eligible to stay in January and September.

 

[disneyseniors]

So sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I was questioning his discharge status -- I'm sure he was honorably discharged from the Reserves. You had referred to him as "retired" which is different. He likely is eligible to stay in January and September.

Thanks, I know you didn't mean it to sound that way, but just wanted to clear it up. I would love to stay there in January and escape our long, cold winters!

 

[NicoleLarson]

Just found out after 30 years that as Department of Defense civilian employees we are eligible. Could have saved many many thousands of dollars over the last twenty years but, that's the way it goes. Has anybody been there recently? Have heard in the past it was getting dated and in need of sprucing up.

It just went through an extensive reno over the past 5 years so, no its not dated, IMO. We were there just last week. We've stayed at every hotel on property except FW and the value is unparalleled. Is it a Disney hotel? No. It lacks the whimsy that you find in on property hotels but you are a 5-10 min walk to the poly. So for location, price and room size, I can forgive whimsy. The rooms are very nice, not worn out at all. They're very large and all have good views, mostly of the surrounding golf course. We prefer the Palm wing, its much easier to get to the buses, lobby, etc. The magnolia wing is closer to the pools but the hallways seem to go on forever and become very maze like.

 

[Anna131517]

It is such a great deal. Right now WDW hotel room rates are insane. The rooms are much larger than WDW deluxe resorts but you get the same park perks, it’s quiet, and the food court is very reasonably priced. When we stay there we walk to the Polynesian for bus/monorail transportation. If you have mobility issues it would be less ideal than staying at a WDW resort because of the transportation. My in laws found the walking to be too much for them. Although if you have a car there (we normally drive) you can easily drive to AK and HS.

 

[Beachmom0317]

It's definitely dated. That being said- the staff is lovely, the rooms are giant and you don't pay taxes on anything. We walked to the Poly a lot and the GF. Cost can't be beat! Disney prices are insane right now for deluxes.