Deluxe Resort
Magic Kingdom Resort AreaShades of Green is a United States Department of Defense-owned resort located at Walt Disney World. It is an Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) resort and therefore a part of the military's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program (MWR). The newly expanded resort is one of three AFRC's located in the United States. The resort is self supporting and operates from non-appropriated funds and all profits are put back into the resort.
Resort details
Shades of Green is located near the Magic Kingdom, just southwest of the Polynesian Resort. The resort is not, however, on the monorail loop that services the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. 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, Downtown Disney, and the water parks.
Shades of Green does not have a pervasive theme like other Disney resorts, and the general decor is that of a classy, modern country club. Exposed roof beams and arches of hewn stone give the resort an American Craftsman feel. The main staircase encircles a two story rock formation with waterfalls flowing through it. The resort located in a wooded setting complete with waterfalls and tropical gardens. The resort has 586 guest rooms, most of which are standard guest rooms with over 480 square feet (45 m 2 ) of floor space. The standard room offered at Shades of Green is larger than the standard rooms throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. The resort also has 11 suites that can accommodate up to 8 people. The resort has two lighted tennis courts, two heated swimming pools, a children's pool, hot tub, fitness center, arcade, and laundry facilities. There is also over 7,500 square feet (700 m 2 ) of banquet space with audio-visual equipment, and a staff to host events. Because the resort is owned and operated by the U.S. Military, merchandise sold within the resort is exempt from sales tax, and rooms are exempt from hotel tax. There is typically a six to eight month waiting list at any given time to have a reservation. The lease requires that the resort must meet Disney standards.
The resort was designed to provide a relaxing place for the nation's brave service members and their families. It is a retreat for military personnel of all ranks, their families and their guests. The resort offers discounted prices for luxury hotel rooms and discounts on theme park tickets. The resorts motto is Serving Those Who Serve . Specific eligibility must be met before making a reservation. As guests enter Shades of Green, there are five service flags framing an immense 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.
History
Shades of Green originally opened as a Disney-owned resort known as the Golf Resort which opened in December 1973 with 151 rooms. The Golf Resort was located in the middle of the Palm and Magnolia golf courses. the resort was built of wood and volcanic rock in the style of a country club. The core building of the resort was opened in 1971 as a two story clubhouse for the golf courses and did not actually have guest rooms. Guest wings were added to the original clubhouse in 1973 due to the need for overnight accommodations. Every guest room at the resort felt like a suite with at least 480 square feet (45 m 2 ).
The hotel's full-service Pro Shop offered an instructional program called the "Golf Studio," which was conducted by professionals for players of any age and playing level. The resort provided a restful atmosphere with pleasant views from the guest rooms. The Golf Resort was known for the Magnolia Room restaurant with its signature dessert, French Fried Ice Cream. The Magnolia Room, later the Trophy Room, served breakfast, lunch and dinner in a large, open room complete with a high-timbered ceiling with live entertainment. The entertainment was usually provided by a versatile guitar playing and singing duo called Amos and Charles. Their shows were a combination of soft rock, bluegrass, country and folk music. The Players Lounge was a large windowed lounge that overlooked the Magnolia Golf Course. The recreation at the resort included two lighted tennis courts and a pool, now the Magnolia Pool, which had three water spouting columns in the shallow portion of the pool. There were also two putting greens at the resort.
The resort only had an occupancy rate of 60% to 75% most of the year while Disney's Polynesian Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort had and occupancy at almost 100%. One of the major problems with the resort was the location. The resort was out of the monorail loop; almost a quarter of a mile away from the nearest monorail station at The Polynesian. Most travel agents and tourists did not really consider The Golf Resort to really be a "Disney" resort. The resort was expanded and renamed The Disney Inn in February 1986 to try to appeal to more than golfers. It received an additional 150 rooms with a new Snow White theme during that renovation. The resort was still small though for Disney standards.
The resort described itself to have a rustic charm of a quiet country inn. Rooms were decorated in a bright and airy feel. The sitting area had pale green paint, oak table and chairs with a chandelier and a pull out couch. The room was painted in a light tan and had an oak armoire and oak headboards. The beds had floral quilts and there was a small reading chair in the corner. Some dining options included "The Garden Gallery", which is still in operation, with a bright and airy setting, provided a nice spot for relaxed dining and offered American Cuisine. "The Back Porch" was a lounge at the resort. A snack bar named "The Diamond Mine;" and the "Sand Trap", a poolside bar were two other dining options. Recreation included the diamond mine arcade, swimming in the two pools, jogging, playing tennis on one of the two courts and playing golf on either of the two challenging championship courses right next to the resort. 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.
By the early 1990s, Army officials decided it was time to build a resort in the continental United States. Orlando was the top choice in a market survey of soldiers. On February 1, 1994, the US Department of Defense leased the resort and the land it sits on with a 100 year lease to use for the MWR program and limited the resort to eligible guests. In 1996 the resort was purchased outright, for $43 million, due to the high success of the resort although Disney still owns the land on which the resort sits. The resort was renamed Shades of Green . Since the opening of Shades of Green, the resort has been running at or near 100% capacity. The name of the resort, Shades of Green, refers to the colors of the different uniforms. While all services have different colored Class A Uniforms, all war-fighting uniforms have some shade of green.
The resort previously had a small cafe located near the lobby called Cafe Belle and a lounge called the Back Porch. The resort was completely remodeled and expanded from 2002 to 2004 and now has 586 guest rooms. KBJ Architects was the main architect of the resort expansion. During the time of the renovation, guests were able to stay at Disney's Contemporary Resort at Shades of Green daily rates. The goal of the renovation was to create an even better resort that included more guest room options, meeting space, additional fine dining and more guest amenities. The renovation remodled the guest rooms in the Magnolia Wing, doubled the amount of guest rooms, added ten family suites, additional dining options, 7,500 square feet (700 m 2 ) of meeting facilities, a fitness center and a multi-level, 500 space parking garage. Eagles Lounge, which served lite fare and drinks closed in 2008 due to the persuasive family atmosphere. Also Evergreens, the sports bar which served American Cuisine, closed in February 2009.
Guest rooms
Guest rooms are located in the two wings of the resort, the Magnolia wing and the Palm wing. Each guest room is the largest at Walt Disney World at 480 square feet (45 m 2 ) and has two queen size beds and a single sleeper sofa. There is also a sitting area that includes a table and chairs. The rooms are decorated with a modern tropical feel. The bathrooms are large and include double sinks with granite counter tops and a separate room for the toilet and shower. Each room has a large closet, dressers, a night stand and a color television. Each room has either a patio or private balcony with two chairs and a table that overlooks either the pool, the courtyard gardens or the golf courses. Other amenities include a coffee maker, refrigerator, in-room safe, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, in room movies and internet access. The resort also features 11 family suites. Suite features include a separate bedroom with king size bed and a full bath, living area with two queen size sofa beds and an additional full bath. Room rates are based on pay grade. The maximum amount of rooms that can be reserved by one person is three. Rooms are comparable to those of Deluxe Disney resorts but at a much better value.
Dining and shopping
- Mangino's - Formerly Shades of Green's fine dining optio
Pool & Spa Living - Hot Tubs & Spas - Home
Pool & Spa Living is the best way for you to get information on hot tubs & spas ... spas, review a list of hot tub and spa ... Swimming Pools by Endless®
Canadian Spa Ireland - hot tubs, spas, gazebos, swimming pools, swim ...
Canadian Spa & Leisure Company, Ireland - Supplier of Spas and Hot tubs, Saunas, Gazebos, Log Cabins and Swimming Pools ... hot tub, sauna, log cabin, swimming pool or the product ...
Garden Gazebos - A Gazebo for your spas hot tub bath pool kits UK
... Swimming Pools Saunas - Gazebos - Spa Hottub Buying Guide - FAQ - Hot Tub Gallery - SALE ... Gazebo & Surrounds Home Page. Spa Hot Tub Surround ...
Hot Tubs - Whirlpool Jacuzzi - Portable Spa UK
Swimming Pool Spa. Hot Tub Gazebo ... Hot tubs are a great way to ...
Spas Hot Tubs UK Tub Dealer Jacuzzi Portable Home Outdoor Garden Sauna ...
Dealer of Hot Tubs - Spas - Saunas - Fitness Pools - Swimming Pools - Gazebos. Since 2001 Spas and Things have supplied, installed and maintained portable & inground spa pool hot tubs,
PDC Spa Pool World,Spas,Hot Tubs,Whirlpool Tubs,Jacuzzi Tubs,Saunas ...
PDC Spa and Pool World,Spas,Hot Tubs,Whirlpool ... pool spa supply swimming, hot tub enclosure, spa enclosure gazebo, hot ...
Hot Tubs and Spa Pool Suppliers: Buy Hot Tubs in the UK
Buy hot tubs, spa pools, hot tub chemicals and hot tub ... Great Britain’s Olympic synchronised swimming… ... Tigris Hot Tub; Zambezi Spa Pool; Luxury Parasols; Amazonas Spa Pool
hot tub spa: hot tub reviews, hot tub ratings, hot tubs for sale, hot ...
Save money on swimming pool supplies and hot tub spa ... hot tub deck, hot tub enclosure or spa gazebo (clear spa gazebo ...
Hot Tubs Scotland UK Cheapest Hot Tubs, Spas, Swimming Pools, Steam ...
Spa Connection in Scotland are UK Suppliers of Hot Tubs / Spas, Swimming Pools, Steam Rooms, Saunas and Gazebos ... HOT TUBS | POOLS | POOL COVERS | POOL ...
All Brands Pool, Spa, Hot Tub, Sauna and More
FREE SWIMMING POOL WINTERIZING INSTRUCTIONS ... allbrands-hottubandspa.com Pool, Spa and Hot Tub ... HOT TUB & SPA ACCESSORIES: HOT TUB & SPA BUYERS GUIDE: GAZEBOS