Shades of Green is a resort owned by the United States Department of Defense (DOD) in the city of Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando, Florida on Walt Disney World Resort property. It is one of five Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) resorts, and a part of the military's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program (MWR). The resort, which was expanded between 2004 and 2006, is self-supporting; it operates from non-appropriated funds, and all profits are put back into it.
Resort details
Shades of Green is located near the Magic Kingdom, just southwest of the Polynesian Village Resort; however, it is not included on the monorail system. Instead, transportation around Walt Disney World is provided exclusively by a separate fleet of buses, which shuttle guests to and from the Transportation and Ticket Center, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs and the water parks.
The resort's motto, Serving Those Who Serve, reflects its design as a retreat for military personnel of all ranks, their families, and their guests. It offers discounted prices for rooms and theme park tickets, and specific eligibility must be met before making a reservation or purchasing tickets. As guests approach Shades of Green, there are five service flags atop a rock formation with five waterfalls, each a tribute to the five branches of military service. Rising above the setting is a larger American flag and a smaller POW/MIA flag.
Shades of Green does not have a pervasive theme like other Disney resorts, with the general decor being that of a modern country club. The resort is in a wooded setting complete with waterfalls and tropical gardens, including a two-story rock formation encircled by the resort's main staircase. It has 586 guest rooms, most of which are standard guest rooms with over of floor space, along with 11 suites that can accommodate up to eight people. There are two lighted tennis courts, two heated swimming pools, a children's pool, hot tub, fitness center, arcade and laundry facilities.
There is over of banquet space with audiovisual equipment and a staff to host events. Because the resort is owned and operated by the U.S. Military, merchandise sold within it is exempt from sales tax and rooms are exempt from hotel tax. The lease requires that the resort must meet Disney standards.
History
Shades of Green originally opened as a Disney-owned resort known as the Golf Resort in December 1973 with 151 rooms, between the Palm and Magnolia golf courses. It was built of wood and volcanic rock in the style of a country club. Its core building opened in 1971 as a two-story clubhouse for the golf courses and did not have guest rooms. Guest wings were added to the original clubhouse in 1973 to provide overnight accommodations. The Golf Resort had one restaurant, the Magnolia Room (later the Trophy Room), which had a signature dessert called "French fried ice cream." Live entertainment at the Magnolia Room was usually provided by Amos and Charles, a duo of singer-guitarists whose shows were a combination of soft rock, bluegrass, country and folk music.
The hotel's full-service pro shop offered an instructional program, the Golf Studio, conducted by professionals for players of all ages and playing levels. The Players' Gallery was a large cocktail lounge that overlooked the Magnolia Golf Course. The resort's recreation included two lighted tennis courts and a pool, now the Magnolia Pool, which had three water-spouting columns in its shallow section. There were also two putting greens.
The resort had an occupancy rate of only 60–75% most of the year, while Disney's Polynesian Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort had almost 100% occupancy. To expand its target demographic beyond golfers, it was expanded and renamed The Disney Inn in February 1986. It received an additional 150 rooms, and a new Snow White theme; however, it was still small by Disney standards. The resort described itself as having "the rustic charm of a quiet country inn", with rooms decorated in a bright, airy style. The restaurant was renamed to the Garden Gallery and served American cuisine. The lounge was renamed to the Back Porch, and two dining options were also added: The Diamond Mine, a snack bar, and The Sand Trap, a poolside bar. Recreation included the Diamond Mine Arcade, the two pools, jogging, the two tennis courts, and golf on either of the two adjacent championship courses. Rates from the early 1990s for the Disney Inn ranged from $195.00 a night for two queen beds and a sleeper sofa to $500.00 for suites.