A great thing about this hotel is that everyone is very considerate and respectful to one another. I’ve stayed at other hotels where people are running around screaming their heads off, that’s definitely not the case here. It’s a very calm relaxed resort compared to others in the same price range (yes pop century I’m talking about you).
I'm not a veteran, I've never stayed at SOG, and I don't have any family that would be eligible to stay there. That being said, I'm so glad this place exists.
I have always avoided shades of green despite being eligible to stay, but after seeing this video it is faaaar nicer than what I had heard. Thanks Tim!
Anthony Caputo yeah the lack of theming was why I didn’t stay there before, but I was at WDW last month and decided to resort hop. I booked one night as a trial run and was pleasantly surprised. While no Disney decor in the buildings, it was very nicely decorated. Not at all like the lodges on base with bare bones decor. Very quiet and peaceful and I heard not a peep from other guests. Didn’t use their buses so I can’t say how good they are, but the walk to the monorail at the Polynesian was pleasant and quick. Only took me about 5-10 minutes and that was only because I wasn’t sure where I was going at first. I think the only thing I didn’t like was the beds were hard and the pillows sparse, but soft beds are my preference. I do wish they’d use magic bands, as I like to wear mine. Not a huge deal breaker for me though. I will stay there again.
@@mindyschocolate From what we’ve heard from family and friends Magic Bands and My Magic Mobile now work for unlocking doors. We’ll find out for sure when we head for our month long stay in August! You’re still not able to use the room charge feature of Magic Bands just yet but we were told last year when making reservations it’s something the DoD and Disney are negotiating.
Wow, I am impressed that the military and Disney went together to set this up for the people who sacrifice so much for our country. I like he idea of a scaled rate for ranks too!
Everyone needs to know that the government and the taxpayer does NOT pay for the upkeep or running of the SOG. It is strictly run by the funds generated by the people that stay there.
Tim great video. Our family has stayed there for our last 2 Disney trips. We are going back in Nov. 2018 for 7 days. For alittle extra info...the whole resort is tax free, the tickets are marked down also for all places including Disney. And people can stay there if they go with a military person who puts them on there guest list. Meaning they can get their own room as long as your part of our group. The rooms are big & the resort is top notch. You are more than welcome in November to come over & get a look inside the rooms & get a review from us a military family who has come & stays there every year. My wife retired from the Army with 23 years under her as a Major. We actually years ago started watching your channel before we took our first Disney trip with our son Devin to get everything in line & be prepare for it all. We have a beautiful 10 year old son Devin who has autism & being prepared is a must. So thank you & your wife for all the info on Disney. Your passion is great & helps alot of people. We have plans in 6 years to make the move from upstate New York(Saratoga)to Florida near Disney...we love it that much. Once again your more than welcome to come over and be our guest and get more info on this great resort. Thanks again for doing what you do!
Hi Tim, great vid. My husband is an active duty Soldier (soon to retire) and we have stayed there almost every year since 2007. It is arguably the best value anywhere on Disney property and comparably priced to the Disney's budget Motel 6 style resorts so staying here is a no brainier. We have watched our three grow up here and look forward to bringing future grand kids in the future. The area where you saw the turkeys is the latest addition and we stay there when we come. It is adjacent to the parking garage (no neighbors across the hall from you) far away from the main pool/lobby/food areas and is alway quiet and peaceful. The "wild" turkeys come to the patios and basically "beg" for food and guests alway accommodate. We have had them leisurely stroll into our room in the past. Absolutely the best SOG tour post ever!
My dad is an Army veteran so every time we go, we stay here! I love this resort so damn much! It has their own bus system and we get military deals on tickets and park hoppers which is really helpful. And they have the BEST breakfast ever as well!! And their main restaurant is amazing as well. My momma be I are going in May and of course we're staying at this resort again! 😊💖 So glad you decided to do a video about this resort! Sending love from Louisiana 😊💕 - Melissa
Melissa Marshall we stay here all the time too. The perks, service, our own bus system and the discounted tickets are so much appreciated! Everyone is friendly, rooms are fabulous. Love the SOG!!
Bob Shaw check Disney' s site about Military Salute for details.I also found out about it on a webite which has great info from a veteran. Believe it's Steve's Disney Military tips, found it through Google search. Also Shades of Green has a website that's good also. Good luck
We stayed several years ago, with my dad being retired Air Force, and it mostly looked like something that you would see on base. This re-do is INCREDIBLE. It’s gorgeous!
Tim, you can stay there with a sponsor. Sponsor means someone that is in the military. It is actually owned by the DoD. Wikipedia has a great article about it. You are correct the rates are based on a rank and pay grade. This is because civilians who work for DoD can stay there and they not necessarily have a rank.
Came here to say the same thing. We've sponsored rooms for family and friends over the years, and it's really pretty easy. Our family was even able to shop at the exchange without us by showing their resort ID they got at check in. They couldn't buy tobacco or alcohol.
We’ve stayed at SoG multiple times and we always use the walkway to the Polynesian resort to use the monorail and Disney buses. I know everyone has different experiences, but we never found the SoG buses to be convenient or timely. Just a tip🤷♂️
How is the walk from SOG to the Polynesian monorail. Just curious how far it is. We’ll have some elderly folks in our group that can’t walk a real long distance.
To answer some of your questions: Disney Springs Bus - Yes, runs every hour That downstairs cafe near the waterfall is open for breakfast. Baby food was the same price Some Disney Merch is cheaper at the exchange some more expensive so shop around Large selection of beer... I mean we are talking about the forces. All attraction tickets are discounted at SoG. I suggest you get them before coming at your MWR for the following reason You get 30 days (not 60) to select fastpass+ rides (THIS HAS CHANGED AS OF DEC 2017) YOU NOW GET 60 DAYS You do NOT get magic bands you'll have to buy them yourself You DO get all magic hours The spa also does Princess and Pirate makeovers Coast guard approved devices = flotations. My daughter used the ones we brought and it was okay Prices at SoG include tax and resort fees. PRO TIP!!! If you want to start your day early, it's a 1/4 mile walk to the Polynesian resort with access to the monorail which also takes you to the T&T.
Hey Mary, When I stayed there last year that was not the case. Checking Militarydisneytrips.com and the official Disney site does not list SoG. Not saying you're wrong, but do you have something that says buying MWR tickets and staying at SoG allows gives you 60 day FP+ booking? Because if it's changed that would be awesome.
Thanks for sharing! As a disabled combat vet, I have been here, it is very different from your "traditional" resorts, but you still get the park perks of extra magic hours, and they do offer discounts for various things. In 2016 we got discounted park tickets not only to Disney, but Universal as well :)
We've stayed at Shades 3 times, 96, 07 and 15. Loved our accommodations each time. Next time we stay we'll contact you and have you come check out our room, they're huge. We stayed at the Swan in 01 because Shades was full, so they got us into the Swan at a MUCH reduced rate. The room at the Swan was about half the size of our rooms at Shades. Thank you so much for doing this tour. We've always said that Shades was much quieter and more restful than any other resort on the property. And yes, by staying at Shades you get all the same benefits as at any of the Disney properties. Love your videos, please keep them coming!!
Please thank your friend for their service and for letting us have this resort tour! This is the only resort on property that I’ve never seen, so I’m super pumped for this tour!
My family stays here everytime because we’re fortunate enough to go every year. There’s many resources there that makes your stay very comforting. I love to go grab coffee in the morning to walk through the parks with. If you have the chance to stay here I really recommend you do!
My dad is retire Navy and brother is a Marine. When my brother comes home we love visiting Disney and staying at this resort! You should go back around the Holidays. It's so beautiful.
My fiancé and I stood there last July. It was the first time we've been there and we both loved the feel and look of the resort. It was really peaceful and easy to get to any one of the parks thanks to the bus system. There is honestly not a single thing we could complain about the resort and will definitely be staying there for our future trips to Disney. Thanks Tim for continously supplying new videos on different things in WDW and any updates. We always look forward to your new videos.
I stayed there in 1991 when it was The Disney Inn. It had a seven dwarfs theme. I still have my room key. It became Shades of Green the next year. The restaurant was wonderful. Best seafood ever!
They like to chill with the people in the ground rooms. You’ll also find deer, peacock, different types of squirrels and many different insects and animals.
Okay, as someone that only stays at SOG, let me clear some things up: You're given a card when you check in, you don't get magic bands at this resort. You can't parttake in Disney Dining BUT, with SOG bus pass, you can take advantage of Early Magic Hours. The side of the resort you didn't walk threw (the side where you parked your car) is actually the updated section. That side is BEAUTIFUL! I may have pictures of those rooms from when I got married there last year (and yes, at the gazebo you were at! Beautiful background to my photos). Military loves their alcohol (shoot, Marines Corps was founded in a Tavern 😅) so alcohol is a must for the military! However, the only microwaves you'll find is in the Garden Suite (most expensive room on property) and in the laundry areas so that's why you don't see a frozen section at the PX. There's only a coffee machine and fridge in your room. There's also no trash bags... I hate that!
Back in the 80s when it was still the Disney Inn we stayed at the Poly and would go over to the Garden Gallery for lunch quite often. Back then it was a table service location. This is the first video I have watched of Shades and it looks completely different than what I remember of The Disney Inn. Thanks for sharing!
You brought back so many memories with this one, Tim! My parents stayed here often and would reserve 2 extra rooms for their kids and Grandkids. (Each Service member or retiree can reserve up to 3 rooms so your friend can sponsor you and reserve a room for you). Later, My husband was an Army Recruiter and we stayed there. We were given a room in the 'old section' just after the new section was built and I was so bummed (in your shot by the pond behind the resort rooms to the left by Magnolia pool are old, rooms to the right by the Turkey are new). We checked in to our room by the Magnolia pool with view of the golf course, had supper and were chilling on our balcony when the Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom started right in front of us over the Polynesian! It was awesome! Extra Disney on our check in day. It was one of our favorite trips to Walt Disney World! Thank you for touring Shades of Green!
Love staying at Shades of Green! So lucky that they opened the ability to stay there in Jan & Sept for all veterans. Before you could only stay if you were actively in the military, reserves, or DoD. You can definitely stay there if you are staying with someone in the military; they need to book your room and be with you during the stay as a "sponsor". For example, we took my parents with us and booked two rooms when we stayed. Tip - you can walk over to the Poly and take the monorail, buses, or boat to the parks if you miss a SoG bus.
My family has been staying at Shades of Green since it opened back up after the two year refurbishment! It is a lovely hotel, and you get basically all the same perks as if you were staying at a Disney owned and operated hotel besides free magic bands and free parking at the parks! You can even take the monorail, which is just a quick walk across the street at the Polynesian.
We stayed there when it was a Disney resort (back in 1989), called The Disney Inn. It was very nice and very quiet. I had been wondering what it looked like now that it was a military resort so thank you so much for the tour!
Thanks for the great video of Shades of Green. Love your enthusiasm and attention to detail. Shades of Green is a great resort for Military Families we love it there. Thanks again.
We love this resort. We stay here when we come. Yes they all have balconies. The buffets are very good and really reasonable. We always get little gifts from the PX. Thanks for showcasing this resort!
I've stayed in many different hotels on property, but SoG has become one of my favorites. There's a great sense of respect and camaraderie there, which makes for a really nice atmosphere after a long day at the parks. Also, pro tip: the walk back from the Polynesian can be a little long for those with limited mobility. You can call the concierge desk when you get off the monorail and they'll send a golf cart to the end of the SoG driveway to get you!
From when I stayed at Shades of Green, the doors don't work on magic band access. They give you a room card that works like the standard addition of Disney tickets. You scan the card for entire to your room. SOG is not networked with Disney servers while on Disney property. Probably that being the most unique feature of the resort. You can still get magic hours and if you don't mind the walk (if lucky you can catch a ride on a cart) the monorail can be accessed via the Polynesian across the street. If in the morning rush, I recommend the monorail because the buses tend to be AWOL early in the day (even if scheduled).
Thank you for doing this video for our military families ... so nice of you !!! The pool with zero edge is for handicap veterans and family members, but anyone can use the pool .... You can stay at SOG if a family or friend has served invites you ... A service member can book 3 rooms at a time
I got so much nostalgia for just a simple hotel. My parents work for the military so we were able to stay in Shades of Green, starting from the age of seven. Stayed there three times. It's a lovely hotel and the discounts are great! We would go more often if plane tickets weren't so expensive!Thanks for showing this, Tim! Hopefully I'll get to go back to my second home :)
We're active duty but have always stayed at Disney resorts (using a Disney military discount on the room) because it was cheaper than staying at SoG and because we like doing the Disney Dining Plan which I believe you can't do if you are staying at Shades. I will say SoG looks a lot nicer than I thought that it would! Thanks for the tour video!
I know im watching this 2 years after it was posted, but THANK YOU! We are going to stay here in March and I am happy to see everything. I also didn't know that they did the magic band thing for the doors.
Oh my god I'm laughing so hard about The Devil Wears Prada. Wrong Anne Hathaway Tim! Thanks for showing us around the resort, I didn't know there was one that was exclusive to military guests!
Thanks Tim. My family and I stayed there one January about 10 years ago. It's scenic, quiet, and has good size rooms - very enjoyable. Here's a bus tip: at that time the buses ran to each of the parks only once an hour, except to Magic Kingdom, where a bus left the resort every 20 minutes. I remember our first day leaving Hollywood Studios around 4 PM, and seeing the Shades of Green bus drive off as we were 100 yards from the bus stop. Silly us, we waited another hour when we could have taken a Disney bus to the Magic Kingdom, taken the bus from there to Shades of Green, and probably been back in our rooms by 4:30.
One of my favorite places on property! Definitely my family's home away from home, we stay there every time we visit WDW. It's so calm but so close to the action that it's a great mix for how we tour. 100% recommend staying there if you can!
Thanks for doing this review, I was in the Air Force but I didn't think that I could stay at that resort because I am not active duty, and I didn't retire, I just did my tour. But your video made me go looking and it turns out that Veterans can stay at Shades of Green in in September or January! Awesome, I'm planning to go in January of 2019!
Fellow Air Force Veteran Thank You for Your Service . I to hope to be able stay there some January or September as I to just did my first enlistment and got out . I live on the west coast of Florida so it's an easy drive from where I live to get to SOG in Orlando . I'm amazed the resort is so beautiful and so quiet as well .
Interesting fact: The Golf Resort Hotel, which opened in 1973, was the third Disney hotel built on the property. It was also the first Disney hotel that wasn't connected to the monorail system. The resort hotel which was also known later on as "The Disney Inn" is now owned by the United States Department of Defense and used for military personnel on vacation in Walt Disney World. The current name of the hotel is "Shades of Green". Also, the Mill Pool is actually in the shape of a Mickey Head.
Thank you so much for sharing. We are a military family and went to Disney for the first time last year and stayed at Art of Animation and had a great time. I was hesitant to try this resort because we wanted the full "Disney" experience. I am happy we did AofA for our first, but will definitely stay here on our next visit. As always, thank you for all that you do!
Tim really liked your vlog on the Shades of Green as a disabled veteran i have stayef on a few occasions and it is really a great place for a handicapped person to stay. Very informative thanks for the vlog.
Fellow Veteran Thank You for your Service . Some January or September I hope to be able to go stay there . I use a power chair some times depending on how I feel & where I'm going & for how long but I'm not service connected . I have a non Service Connected disability pension due to all my health problems . According to the VA I'm permanently & totally disabled .
Thank you for this resort tour, Tim. My husband is in the military and we're interested in staying here in the future. We appreciate the time you and Jenn take to make these videos!
Your Hard Rock Resort video a while ago where you rented a guitar was great, the resort itself looked cool, would like to see a full on tour of it once you guys start the Universal Resorts.
Watching this video 5 years later just because I haven’t been to Disney in 2 years since before I got married and had my daughter. What do I see when you show the bricks? My family’s bricks! So cool!
I always stay at this resort whenever my family plans a trip to Disney World. It's a lot more calm and quite compared to other Disney World Resorts, which is why I like it so much.
We are staying here in 10 days! I am so excited! I was trying to hold off on watching tours and vlogs of this resorts so I could be surprised and I have been holding off since April, but I caved in. 10 days before our trip. Hahaha! I am glad I watched it, though because now I know what to expect. It looks very different than any other Disney resort that I’ve stayed at which will be super fun. Love your videos! :)))
We stayed here when we went to WDW in 2016 and were very impressed with price, room, grounds, transportation and how close it was to Magic Kingdom! ☺️👍🏻
Stayed here a few years ago and it was an amazing experience. Best part of it is how non of it is Disney owned so prices for everything are reasonable especially for military families.
Thanks for showing this great hotel Tim! We are staying here for my daughters second birthday in October. My family and I stay here every time we go to Disney, it makes it so much more affordable for us military families.
We always stay at shades of green. We can walk to the transportation or take a bus. The rooms are large and have everything. You can stay if someone sponsors you under their ID. The food at Mags is really good and the breakfast buffet is cheaper if you add it to your room.
Finally catching up on vlogs and I am SO glad you got to check out Shades of Green! We enjoyed our stay and can’t wait to go back! Btw....the rooms are the biggest on property for a traditional hotel room. Also, they have a big, very reasonable priced breakfast buffet.
I'm really enjoying your resort walking tours videos! I love resort-hopping and during our trip we only got to see AKL. Thanks to your videos, I get to see all the rest. I appreciate you being thorough and exploring all the restaurants, amenities, service areas etc. It's how I'd want to walk through it myself.
@TheTimTracker my hubby and I stayed here on our honeymoon! The rooms are great. The pay is by what the military persons rank is in the service. You get a special pass to ride the bus so only guests at the resort are on the bus. The grounds are very nice, but what freaked me out was the fake crocodile/alligator heads in the pool. Apparently they use it to scare birds away from using the pool as a giant bird bath. Anyway I highly recommend this resort. It made our honeymoon very nice! They even gave us a Disney certificate congratulating us on our honeymoon! Oh and depending on the room/floor you can see fireworks! From our room we could see the tops of Hollywood studios, hear Epcot and barely see Wishes (it was still there in '15 when we took our honeymoon)
We go twice a year.My husband is a veteran. If you are a veteran (honorably discharged but not active or retired) you can stay in Sept. and Jan. and sponsor three or four additional rooms for family members. It is a quick walk across the street to Poly to catch the monorail or boats. We went for RunDisney this weekend and the the marathon and half marathon runs right by Shades!
Very nice tour Tim, that was the very first place we stayed on our very first trip to WDW. Of course it was the Disney Inn at that time. Think it was the Disney Golf Resort before or after that. It was back in 1987. Still looks beautiful.
A great thing about this hotel is that everyone is very considerate and respectful to one another. I’ve stayed at other hotels where people are running around screaming their heads off, that’s definitely not the case here. It’s a very calm relaxed resort compared to others in the same price range (yes pop century I’m talking about you).
howdy_imsal It is wonderful to stay here for so many reasons but the respect given to SOG makes it classy.
Some places just.....Wow
I'm not a veteran, I've never stayed at SOG, and I don't have any family that would be eligible to stay there.
That being said, I'm so glad this place exists.
A single military member can have up to 6 non miltary guest
There a few others I think
I have always avoided shades of green despite being eligible to stay, but after seeing this video it is faaaar nicer than what I had heard. Thanks Tim!
Anthony Caputo yeah the lack of theming was why I didn’t stay there before, but I was at WDW last month and decided to resort hop. I booked one night as a trial run and was pleasantly surprised. While no Disney decor in the buildings, it was very nicely decorated. Not at all like the lodges on base with bare bones decor. Very quiet and peaceful and I heard not a peep from other guests. Didn’t use their buses so I can’t say how good they are, but the walk to the monorail at the Polynesian was pleasant and quick. Only took me about 5-10 minutes and that was only because I wasn’t sure where I was going at first. I think the only thing I didn’t like was the beds were hard and the pillows sparse, but soft beds are my preference. I do wish they’d use magic bands, as I like to wear mine. Not a huge deal breaker for me though. I will stay there again.
@@mindyschocolate From what we’ve heard from family and friends Magic Bands and My Magic Mobile now work for unlocking doors. We’ll find out for sure when we head for our month long stay in August! You’re still not able to use the room charge feature of Magic Bands just yet but we were told last year when making reservations it’s something the DoD and Disney are negotiating.
Wow, I am impressed that the military and Disney went together to set this up for the people who sacrifice so much for our country. I like he idea of a scaled rate for ranks too!
You can also travel to Universal Studios from Shades of Green. So awesome.
Everyone needs to know that the government and the taxpayer does NOT pay for the upkeep or running of the SOG. It is strictly run by the funds generated by the people that stay there.
4aceswithakicker glad you mentioned that
@Adam Efimoff - agreed.
It is affiliated with MWR though.
The DOD does own it not Disney.
Why does that matter? That would be a completely worthy way to spend tax dollar.
After how screwed the VA is they owe it to us Veteran. Lol
Princess diaries was on the tv tim lol
G1 Smokescreen I just thought it was funny dude lol
G1 Smokescreen I didn't see that until after I posted lol
I was just about to say this.
He should not be allowed to go on these adventures without Jen. :-)
I noticed it right away, and Princess Diaries is a DIsney movie. So it might still have been the Disney Channel???
Tim great video. Our family has stayed there for our last 2 Disney trips. We are going back in Nov. 2018 for 7 days. For alittle extra info...the whole resort is tax free, the tickets are marked down also for all places including Disney. And people can stay there if they go with a military person who puts them on there guest list. Meaning they can get their own room as long as your part of our group. The rooms are big & the resort is top notch. You are more than welcome in November to come over & get a look inside the rooms & get a review from us a military family who has come & stays there every year. My wife retired from the Army with 23 years under her as a Major. We actually years ago started watching your channel before we took our first Disney trip with our son Devin to get everything in line & be prepare for it all. We have a beautiful 10 year old son Devin who has autism & being prepared is a must. So thank you & your wife for all the info on Disney. Your passion is great & helps alot of people. We have plans in 6 years to make the move from upstate New York(Saratoga)to Florida near Disney...we love it that much. Once again your more than welcome to come over and be our guest and get more info on this great resort. Thanks again for doing what you do!
“They have more beer” they know how the military works lol
Lol was gonna say the same thing. Military runs on beer.
Beer nicotine and caffeine lmao
Hi Tim, great vid. My husband is an active duty Soldier (soon to retire) and we have stayed there almost every year since 2007. It is arguably the best value anywhere on Disney property and comparably priced to the Disney's budget Motel 6 style resorts so staying here is a no brainier. We have watched our three grow up here and look forward to bringing future grand kids in the future. The area where you saw the turkeys is the latest addition and we stay there when we come. It is adjacent to the parking garage (no neighbors across the hall from you) far away from the main pool/lobby/food areas and is alway quiet and peaceful. The "wild" turkeys come to the patios and basically "beg" for food and guests alway accommodate. We have had them leisurely stroll into our room in the past. Absolutely the best SOG tour post ever!
My dad is an Army veteran so every time we go, we stay here! I love this resort so damn much! It has their own bus system and we get military deals on tickets and park hoppers which is really helpful. And they have the BEST breakfast ever as well!! And their main restaurant is amazing as well. My momma be I are going in May and of course we're staying at this resort again! 😊💖 So glad you decided to do a video about this resort! Sending love from Louisiana 😊💕 - Melissa
Melissa Marshall we stay here all the time too. The perks, service, our own bus system and the discounted tickets are so much appreciated! Everyone is friendly, rooms are fabulous. Love the SOG!!
Melissa is your father retired from the Army if not how long did he serve for? I'm an Air Force Veteran but not retired I served almost 4 years .
Bob Shaw check Disney' s site about Military Salute for details.I also found out about it on a webite which has great info from a veteran. Believe it's Steve's Disney Military tips, found it through Google search. Also Shades of Green has a website that's good also. Good luck
Melissa Marshall and you get extra magic hours too even though it’s not a “Disney” resort
same
My husband and I are both U.S. Army vets- we laughed when you pointed out the smokes and booze. Sounds about right. LoL!
This Place brings back many memories!!! They have changed this place so much since the 90s!!
We stayed several years ago, with my dad being retired Air Force, and it mostly looked like something that you would see on base. This re-do is INCREDIBLE. It’s gorgeous!
Josh please wish your Dad for his Service from a Fellow Air Force Veteran .
Tim, you can stay there with a sponsor. Sponsor means someone that is in the military. It is actually owned by the DoD. Wikipedia has a great article about it. You are correct the rates are based on a rank and pay grade. This is because civilians who work for DoD can stay there and they not necessarily have a rank.
Came here to say the same thing. We've sponsored rooms for family and friends over the years, and it's really pretty easy. Our family was even able to shop at the exchange without us by showing their resort ID they got at check in. They couldn't buy tobacco or alcohol.
We’ve stayed at SoG multiple times and we always use the walkway to the Polynesian resort to use the monorail and Disney buses. I know everyone has different experiences, but we never found the SoG buses to be convenient or timely. Just a tip🤷♂️
David Same haha
How is the walk from SOG to the Polynesian monorail. Just curious how far it is. We’ll have some elderly folks in our group that can’t walk a real long distance.
Amusement Cruiser Around 7-10 minutes. However it’s very beautiful, especially in the morning when all is quiet.
Shades of green busses are definitely not always on time or easy to catch
David Thanks for the tip. We’ll certainly make use of this tip
I rewatch this video all the time. I had the best honeymoon ever at Shades of Green and this video just makes me smile.
To answer some of your questions:
Disney Springs Bus - Yes, runs every hour
That downstairs cafe near the waterfall is open for breakfast.
Baby food was the same price
Some Disney Merch is cheaper at the exchange some more expensive so shop around
Large selection of beer... I mean we are talking about the forces.
All attraction tickets are discounted at SoG. I suggest you get them before coming at your MWR for the following reason
You get 30 days (not 60) to select fastpass+ rides (THIS HAS CHANGED AS OF DEC 2017) YOU NOW GET 60 DAYS
You do NOT get magic bands you'll have to buy them yourself
You DO get all magic hours
The spa also does Princess and Pirate makeovers
Coast guard approved devices = flotations. My daughter used the ones we brought and it was okay
Prices at SoG include tax and resort fees.
PRO TIP!!! If you want to start your day early, it's a 1/4 mile walk to the Polynesian resort with access to the monorail which also takes you to the T&T.
Hey Mary, When I stayed there last year that was not the case. Checking Militarydisneytrips.com and the official Disney site does not list SoG. Not saying you're wrong, but do you have something that says buying MWR tickets and staying at SoG allows gives you 60 day FP+ booking? Because if it's changed that would be awesome.
Corey Woodruff well that pretty much sums it up.
Thanks for the link Mary I've update my post!
Whoa! I went in late February and I didn't know about the 60 days out! Thanks for the heads up!!!
Thanks for sharing! As a disabled combat vet, I have been here, it is very different from your "traditional" resorts, but you still get the park perks of extra magic hours, and they do offer discounts for various things. In 2016 we got discounted park tickets not only to Disney, but Universal as well :)
I'm a disabled veteran, thank you for the tour. Didn't know anything about the resort til now. Can't wait to book a vacation there. Thank you
Donna Fellow Veteran Thank You for Your Service .
My grandmother used to work for the government and this was where we stayed. Watching this brings back so many memories!
We've stayed at Shades 3 times, 96, 07 and 15. Loved our accommodations each time. Next time we stay we'll contact you and have you come check out our room, they're huge. We stayed at the Swan in 01 because Shades was full, so they got us into the Swan at a MUCH reduced rate. The room at the Swan was about half the size of our rooms at Shades. Thank you so much for doing this tour. We've always said that Shades was much quieter and more restful than any other resort on the property. And yes, by staying at Shades you get all the same benefits as at any of the Disney properties. Love your videos, please keep them coming!!
Please thank your friend for their service and for letting us have this resort tour! This is the only resort on property that I’ve never seen, so I’m super pumped for this tour!
My family stays here everytime because we’re fortunate enough to go every year. There’s many resources there that makes your stay very comforting. I love to go grab coffee in the morning to walk through the parks with. If you have the chance to stay here I really recommend you do!
My dad is retire Navy and brother is a Marine. When my brother comes home we love visiting Disney and staying at this resort! You should go back around the Holidays. It's so beautiful.
I'm a Veteran . Please Thank Your Dad and Brother for me for Their Service .
Bob Shaw thank you for your service as well. Have you ever been to this resort?
It's quiet and serene because it is full of professionals both the staff and the guests. I stayed there twice going back for 10 days in 2 weeks.
To all those that have served our nation thank you. To those that have paid the ultimate price may you rest in peace.
My fiancé and I stood there last July. It was the first time we've been there and we both loved the feel and look of the resort. It was really peaceful and easy to get to any one of the parks thanks to the bus system. There is honestly not a single thing we could complain about the resort and will definitely be staying there for our future trips to Disney. Thanks Tim for continously supplying new videos on different things in WDW and any updates. We always look forward to your new videos.
i love shades of green, its so pretty
I stayed there in 1991 when it was The Disney Inn. It had a seven dwarfs theme. I still have my room key. It became Shades of Green the next year. The restaurant was wonderful. Best seafood ever!
Idk why but I was dying laughing at the turkey just chillin and those people ignoring it casually talking
They like to chill with the people in the ground rooms. You’ll also find deer, peacock, different types of squirrels and many different insects and animals.
Okay, as someone that only stays at SOG, let me clear some things up: You're given a card when you check in, you don't get magic bands at this resort. You can't parttake in Disney Dining BUT, with SOG bus pass, you can take advantage of Early Magic Hours. The side of the resort you didn't walk threw (the side where you parked your car) is actually the updated section. That side is BEAUTIFUL! I may have pictures of those rooms from when I got married there last year (and yes, at the gazebo you were at! Beautiful background to my photos). Military loves their alcohol (shoot, Marines Corps was founded in a Tavern 😅) so alcohol is a must for the military! However, the only microwaves you'll find is in the Garden Suite (most expensive room on property) and in the laundry areas so that's why you don't see a frozen section at the PX. There's only a coffee machine and fridge in your room. There's also no trash bags... I hate that!
Back in the 80s when it was still the Disney Inn we stayed at the Poly and would go over to the Garden Gallery for lunch quite often. Back then it was a table service location. This is the first video I have watched of Shades and it looks completely different than what I remember of The Disney Inn. Thanks for sharing!
They have a Mickey shaped pool! I love staying there.
You brought back so many memories with this one, Tim! My parents stayed here often and would reserve 2 extra rooms for their kids and Grandkids. (Each Service member or retiree can reserve up to 3 rooms so your friend can sponsor you and reserve a room for you). Later, My husband was an Army Recruiter and we stayed there. We were given a room in the 'old section' just after the new section was built and I was so bummed (in your shot by the pond behind the resort rooms to the left by Magnolia pool are old, rooms to the right by the Turkey are new). We checked in to our room by the Magnolia pool with view of the golf course, had supper and were chilling on our balcony when the Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom started right in front of us over the Polynesian! It was awesome! Extra Disney on our check in day. It was one of our favorite trips to Walt Disney World! Thank you for touring Shades of Green!
Please Thank Your husband for me as a Veteran for his Service .
Bob Shaw Thank you for that message, Mr. Shaw, I certainly will.
My husband and I have stayed there many times - we really love the Shades of Green!
I love shades of green❤️😊. That’s where I stay every time I go to Disney World
Love staying at Shades of Green! So lucky that they opened the ability to stay there in Jan & Sept for all veterans. Before you could only stay if you were actively in the military, reserves, or DoD. You can definitely stay there if you are staying with someone in the military; they need to book your room and be with you during the stay as a "sponsor". For example, we took my parents with us and booked two rooms when we stayed. Tip - you can walk over to the Poly and take the monorail, buses, or boat to the parks if you miss a SoG bus.
My family stays at Shades every time we go to Disney World and its awesome.
Shades of green is great resort very beautiful and green
My family has been staying at Shades of Green since it opened back up after the two year refurbishment! It is a lovely hotel, and you get basically all the same perks as if you were staying at a Disney owned and operated hotel besides free magic bands and free parking at the parks! You can even take the monorail, which is just a quick walk across the street at the Polynesian.
My husband and I stayed here in 2009, and we'll be here again for our trip this year. So glad you showed it!
We stayed there when it was a Disney resort (back in 1989), called The Disney Inn. It was very nice and very quiet. I had been wondering what it looked like now that it was a military resort so thank you so much for the tour!
Thanks for the great video of Shades of Green. Love your enthusiasm and attention to detail. Shades of Green is a great resort for Military Families we love it there. Thanks again.
Glad you did this resort, it's a beautiful thing that this is offered for all our military hero's
That’s awesome that this resort is here for those who have served.
That buffet is the best buffet I have ever had It was a different theme every night and you cannot beat the price. Planning a latr summer trip now
Had no idea this existed for military. Thanks for the info Tim, I know some people that will be interested in this.
Lagbait It's actually owned by the Department of Defense, interestingly, not Disney.
Lagbait I defiantly am!
WHO DAT
I’m only just now discovering this video. But I got married underneath that gazebo at SoG in 2013! It is an absolutely beautiful resort.
We love this resort. We stay here when we come. Yes they all have balconies. The buffets are very good and really reasonable. We always get little gifts from the PX. Thanks for showcasing this resort!
I've stayed in many different hotels on property, but SoG has become one of my favorites. There's a great sense of respect and camaraderie there, which makes for a really nice atmosphere after a long day at the parks. Also, pro tip: the walk back from the Polynesian can be a little long for those with limited mobility. You can call the concierge desk when you get off the monorail and they'll send a golf cart to the end of the SoG driveway to get you!
From when I stayed at Shades of Green, the doors don't work on magic band access. They give you a room card that works like the standard addition of Disney tickets. You scan the card for entire to your room. SOG is not networked with Disney servers while on Disney property. Probably that being the most unique feature of the resort. You can still get magic hours and if you don't mind the walk (if lucky you can catch a ride on a cart) the monorail can be accessed via the Polynesian across the street. If in the morning rush, I recommend the monorail because the buses tend to be AWOL early in the day (even if scheduled).
I love this resort, never had a problem when I stayed there. Very friendly staff and it's beautiful inside and out.
Thank you for doing this video for our military families ... so nice of you !!! The pool with zero edge is for handicap veterans and family members, but anyone can use the pool .... You can stay at SOG if a family or friend has served invites you ... A service member can book 3 rooms at a time
Agh, the memories of this place! We used to always stay there for our Disney trips!
When you're done with the Disney Resort could you possibly do Universal resorts? That would be really nice! Love your videos keep up the good work.
He has done Portofina Bay! And he might have done Hard Rock. (I can't remember, atm.)
There aren't as many hotels on Universal property
I got so much nostalgia for just a simple hotel. My parents work for the military so we were able to stay in Shades of Green, starting from the age of seven. Stayed there three times. It's a lovely hotel and the discounts are great! We would go more often if plane tickets weren't so expensive!Thanks for showing this, Tim! Hopefully I'll get to go back to my second home :)
My family stays here every time we go to Disney, can't wait to go there in April
sorry you couldn't go 😔
Douglas Vitrano thanks, it was pretty heartbreaking ):
We're active duty but have always stayed at Disney resorts (using a Disney military discount on the room) because it was cheaper than staying at SoG and because we like doing the Disney Dining Plan which I believe you can't do if you are staying at Shades. I will say SoG looks a lot nicer than I thought that it would! Thanks for the tour video!
I wanted to know this since I always get the Disney meal plan which I think is so convenient. Thank you for the info on this!
I know im watching this 2 years after it was posted, but THANK YOU! We are going to stay here in March and I am happy to see everything. I also didn't know that they did the magic band thing for the doors.
That's a beautiful peaceful hotel .
Oh my god I'm laughing so hard about The Devil Wears Prada. Wrong Anne Hathaway Tim! Thanks for showing us around the resort, I didn't know there was one that was exclusive to military guests!
The best video i seen on Shades of Green Thank You. i have shown it to my Veterans friends theyall like it
Thanks Tim. My family and I stayed there one January about 10 years ago. It's scenic, quiet, and has good size rooms - very enjoyable. Here's a bus tip: at that time the buses ran to each of the parks only once an hour, except to Magic Kingdom, where a bus left the resort every 20 minutes. I remember our first day leaving Hollywood Studios around 4 PM, and seeing the Shades of Green bus drive off as we were 100 yards from the bus stop. Silly us, we waited another hour when we could have taken a Disney bus to the Magic Kingdom, taken the bus from there to Shades of Green, and probably been back in our rooms by 4:30.
One of my favorite places on property! Definitely my family's home away from home, we stay there every time we visit WDW. It's so calm but so close to the action that it's a great mix for how we tour. 100% recommend staying there if you can!
Thanks for doing this review, I was in the Air Force but I didn't think that I could stay at that resort because I am not active duty, and I didn't retire, I just did my tour. But your video made me go looking and it turns out that Veterans can stay at Shades of Green in in September or January! Awesome, I'm planning to go in January of 2019!
Fellow Air Force Veteran Thank You for Your Service . I to hope to be able stay there some January or September
as I to just did my first enlistment and got out . I live on the west coast of Florida so it's an easy drive from where I live to get to SOG in Orlando . I'm amazed the resort is so beautiful and so quiet as well .
Its cool Disney World has a resort hotel like this to support the troops and their families, what a good place to make some family memories for them.
Interesting fact: The Golf Resort Hotel, which opened in 1973, was the third Disney hotel built on the property. It was also the first Disney hotel that wasn't connected to the monorail system. The resort hotel which was also known later on as "The Disney Inn" is now owned by the United States Department of Defense and used for military personnel on vacation in Walt Disney World. The current name of the hotel is "Shades of Green".
Also, the Mill Pool is actually in the shape of a Mickey Head.
David Robinson Thanks for the additional fun facts
I stayed there when I was a little one in the 70’s.
I might add everything for the military active or retired is tax free.
I hope you can do a tour of golden oaks sometime. You may need a realtor to let you in.
Thank you so much for sharing. We are a military family and went to Disney for the first time last year and stayed at Art of Animation and had a great time. I was hesitant to try this resort because we wanted the full "Disney" experience. I am happy we did AofA for our first, but will definitely stay here on our next visit. As always, thank you for all that you do!
Tim really liked your vlog on the Shades of Green as a disabled veteran i have stayef on a few occasions and it is really a great place for a handicapped person to stay. Very informative thanks for the vlog.
Fellow Veteran Thank You for your Service . Some January or September I hope to be able to go stay there . I use a power chair some times depending on how I feel & where I'm going & for how long but I'm not service connected . I have a non Service Connected disability pension due to all my health problems . According to the VA I'm permanently & totally disabled .
Thank you for doing this! We are military and had a hard time finding a good resort tour like this!
Never knew this resort existed. Very nice for military because of the calm surroundings. Also Definetly lower food prices. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for this resort tour, Tim. My husband is in the military and we're interested in staying here in the future. We appreciate the time you and Jenn take to make these videos!
Thank you for doing this tour. There is not much out there about Shades of Green! This has helped me with my planning! Thank you!
This place looks wonderful! I need to show this to my dad since he was in the military
it hasn't changed much in the past 12 years, I went with my family in 2006 and it was a very enjoyable place to stay.
Your Hard Rock Resort video a while ago where you rented a guitar was great, the resort itself looked cool, would like to see a full on tour of it once you guys start the Universal Resorts.
Michael yeah definitely. Another Hard Rock video would be awesome
I was always curious of Shades of Green. Thank you for the wonderful tour.
Watching this video 5 years later just because I haven’t been to Disney in 2 years since before I got married and had my daughter. What do I see when you show the bricks? My family’s bricks! So cool!
I always stay at this resort whenever my family plans a trip to Disney World. It's a lot more calm and quite compared to other Disney World Resorts, which is why I like it so much.
We are staying here in 10 days! I am so excited! I was trying to hold off on watching tours and vlogs of this resorts so I could be surprised and I have been holding off since April, but I caved in. 10 days before our trip. Hahaha! I am glad I watched it, though because now I know what to expect. It looks very different than any other Disney resort that I’ve stayed at which will be super fun. Love your videos! :)))
18:22 Such a picturesque sun. ☀️
We stayed here when we went to WDW in 2016 and were very impressed with price, room, grounds, transportation and how close it was to Magic Kingdom! ☺️👍🏻
Stayed here a few years ago and it was an amazing experience. Best part of it is how non of it is Disney owned so prices for everything are reasonable especially for military families.
Thanks for showing this great hotel Tim! We are staying here for my daughters second birthday in October. My family and I stay here every time we go to Disney, it makes it so much more affordable for us military families.
My dad was a Marine and we've stayed at Shades of Green many times...One of my favorite places to stay!
We always stay at shades of green. We can walk to the transportation or take a bus. The rooms are large and have everything. You can stay if someone sponsors you under their ID. The food at Mags is really good and the breakfast buffet is cheaper if you add it to your room.
Finally catching up on vlogs and I am SO glad you got to check out Shades of Green! We enjoyed our stay and can’t wait to go back! Btw....the rooms are the biggest on property for a traditional hotel room. Also, they have a big, very reasonable priced breakfast buffet.
I'm really enjoying your resort walking tours videos! I love resort-hopping and during our trip we only got to see AKL. Thanks to your videos, I get to see all the rest. I appreciate you being thorough and exploring all the restaurants, amenities, service areas etc. It's how I'd want to walk through it myself.
Had seen buses going to shades of green always wondered what it was like it’s a lovely resort they deserve a place like this for what they do
Thank You for saying that I appreciate it very much being an AF Veteran .
I did not even know this place existed. If I was a vet I would surely consider this place, because it looks very nice.
I am so thankful for these videos everyday. Thanks, Tim and Jenn!
@TheTimTracker my hubby and I stayed here on our honeymoon! The rooms are great. The pay is by what the military persons rank is in the service. You get a special pass to ride the bus so only guests at the resort are on the bus. The grounds are very nice, but what freaked me out was the fake crocodile/alligator heads in the pool. Apparently they use it to scare birds away from using the pool as a giant bird bath. Anyway I highly recommend this resort. It made our honeymoon very nice! They even gave us a Disney certificate congratulating us on our honeymoon! Oh and depending on the room/floor you can see fireworks! From our room we could see the tops of Hollywood studios, hear Epcot and barely see Wishes (it was still there in '15 when we took our honeymoon)
We go twice a year.My husband is a veteran. If you are a veteran (honorably discharged but not active or retired) you can stay in Sept. and Jan. and sponsor three or four additional rooms for family members. It is a quick walk across the street to Poly to catch the monorail or boats. We went for RunDisney this weekend and the the marathon and half marathon runs right by Shades!
Very nice tour Tim, that was the very first place we stayed on our very first trip to WDW. Of course it was the Disney Inn at that time. Think it was the Disney Golf Resort before or after that. It was back in 1987. Still looks beautiful.
This used to be the Disney Golf Resort. The PGA tour had a tournament on that course annually
Ironically, the PGA tour is playing today up the road at Bay Hill.
Used to be the Disney inn
My husband ( a veteran himself), looked all of the info up. Thank you Tim for the tour resort.
Thanks for sharing I think next time we will stay here and save some money by going. Great seeing all the positive reviews as well.
I have stayed at shades of green it is amazing this was fun watching you do a tour of it! Can’t wait to go back! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍