Hi there, James! Welcome back to planDisney.
As a military spouse, I’d like to thank you for the work you do with the Department of Defense. My husband is currently deployed overseas, and I’m grateful for all the hard work happening to keep him and his fellow sailors safe.
For Shades of Green, your best bet is to
take a look at their website and the eligibility requirements there. I would also recommend calling to find out if there is a maximum number of suites you may book; I’ve always found their staff members very helpful. Booking for your 2023 stay will not become available until 365 days in advance of your vacation dates.
As a DoD civilian, you are not eligible for the current Walt Disney World Resort military promotional offers on
theme park tickets or
resort hotel accommodations. Take a look at the Offer Details on both to learn more about eligibility. The current offers are only valid in 2021 and their details are subject to change in future years; based on past years, I anticipate a 2023 military promotional discount to be announced in autumn 2022, but there’s no guarantee that there will be a military offer or when it will be announced – this is just my best guess based on past years. I recommend taking a look at
Special Offers as you get closer to your vacation dates to see if any great deals pop up.
The Disney Dining Plan is currently paused as part of the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort. I’m hoping that it makes a comeback before your visit, but we don’t have any information at this time. If it does return, I highly recommend pricing a
vacation package, including resort hotel, theme park tickets, and dining – this will help you budget for your visit.
As you think about deciding between Shades of Green and a Disney Resorts Collection hotel, I have a few thoughts. Shades of Green is a lovely, relaxing resort (with really nicely sized rooms and an on-site exchange for shopping), but I would think about how important Disney theming and other
benefits of staying inside the magic are for your party. Particularly with elementary-aged children and a baby, you might find that booking three
Family Suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a great Disney resort option for your group. The resort is themed to Disney and Pixar movies, with really great pools, one of the best food courts on property, and a walk to the Disney Skyliner. This is key for the family with a baby in a stroller, as strollers can be wheeled right onto the Skyliner. Disney Bus Transportation will make it easy to get to and from the theme parks, and runs on a more regular schedule than Shades of Green’s buses. The planDisney panelists share our tips on selecting a resort hotel in our
Panel Extras – I hope our thoughts are helpful as you think about your visit.
There are a lot of unknowns right now, but one thing that is FOR SURE is that you are going to have an amazing time on your multi-family vacation. Have so much fun with your Disney dreaming, and we will see you real soon!
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn