Shades of Green

I've heard it called the best-kept secret in Disney World, and if you don't have a tie to the military, you can't be in on it. Shades of Green, where I stayed eons ago when it was the Golf Resort, is a U.S. military-owned resort on Disney property.

The rooms are said to be on par with a Deluxe resort. Difference is, rooms at Shades of Green go for as little as $70 per night instead of the $250 or more guests pay at a Deluxe. The catch? You have to be active or retired military to stay there.

Since May, almost 1,000 soldiers returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan have stayed at Shades of Green. Troops returning from or preparing for duty there get an extra 30 percent off their room rate.

"All the employees here are very aware that some of the guests here could go back and lose their lives in Iraq or Afghanistan," [resort general manager Jim] McCrindle said. "So, it's a sensitive time."

I'm still looking for someone in the military to book me in. In the meantime, if you've stayed at Shades of Green, I'd love to hear your review.

Related:
Shades of Green
Military Resort at Walt Disney World [About U.S. Military]
Resort At Disney Caters To Troops [WESH]