April 7, 2004
By Tim Hipps for USACFSC Public Affairs
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - More military members and their
families can exclaim "I'm going to Disney World,"
thanks to the recent expansion of Shades
of Green Armed Forces Recreation Center on Walt Disney
World Resort.
Brig. Gen. Robert Decker, commander of the US Army Community
and Family Support Center, served as master of ceremonies
for a Shades of Green grand reopening March 31 at the hotel's
Porte Cochere.
Guest speakers included Peter Isaacs, chief operating officer
for CFSC; John McLaurin, deputy assistant secretary of the
Army for human resources; and Charles Abell, principal deputy
undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
Spc. Russell Burnham, the Army's 2003 Soldier of the Year
from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, also attended
the ceremony with his family and was honored.
"This is not just a grand opening, it's a celebration
of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines because that's what
these properties take care of," said McLaurin, who emphasized
the importance of AFRCs. "The Shades of Green here represents
the Army's latest commitment to providing high-quality morale,
welfare and recreation opportunities to members of the U.S.
Armed Forces."
During his remarks, Abell said the resort provides much-needed
respite from the rigors of military duty.
"This is an occasion that reaffirms the Department of
Defense's commitment to provide quality, wholesome and affordable
recreation opportunities to members of US forces who have
and who continue to underwrite the peace and stability of
our nation," he said.
Abell also mentioned how Shades of Green makes the Central
Florida vacation experience affordable for those who have
stayed there.
"The majority … tell us that were it not for the Shades
of Green, they would not have been able to vacation here in
America's premiere vacation destination," Abell said.
"It is gratifying to see this dramatically improved and
expanded hotel on these beautiful grounds. This wonderful
facility is one of the jewels in the Armed Forces Recreation
Center crown."
The other AFRCs were represented at the Shades of Green reopening.
The Hale Koa Hotel in Hawaii; Dragon Hill Lodge in Korea;
and Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, which is scheduled to open
this autumn in Germany, staged exhibits during the reception,
providing a taste of many cultures -- from Polynesian and
Korean dancers to an Oktoberfest tent complete with an oompah
band from Epcot.
There was plenty of music at the reception as well. The Southeast
Swing Band from Jacksonville Naval Air Station played atop
a dock in the center of a pond. "When Buffet meets Sinatra,"
a duo playing Jimmy and Frank's classics, was stationed in
a drained kiddie pool on the other side of the hotel.
Even Mickey and Minnie Mouse joined the festivities, along
with friends Donald, Daisy, Pluto and Goofy.
But the true star of the ceremony was the resort itself.
With the reopening, it has more than doubled in size with
the addition of 299 rooms to the previous 287, plus a 500-seat
ballroom, two new restaurants, and a second heated swimming
pool. The upgraded complex also better accommodates buses
that shuttle guests around Disney's property, separate from
the flow of traffic near the hotel's check-in area.
The response from guests at the upgraded Shades of Green
has been overwhelmingly positive.
"We hear things like: 'We can't wait to come back' and
"This is the best thing the Army has ever done;' 'We
love this place;' and 'This is our home away from home,' -
all great things," Shades of Green acting general manager
Melissa Colvin said.
Shades of Green is adjacent to Disney's Palm Golf Course,
home of the PGA Tour's FUNAI Classic, and just outside the
gates of Mickey Mouse's famous house. Another one of Disney's
five championship 18-hole golf courses and a nine-hole executive
layout are within walking distance.
"We do not promote the fact that it's a golf resort
probably as much as we should," said Colvin, who hasn't
needed to market the resort. "Military families do certainly
appreciate the golf factor, but I can honestly say most of
them are coming here to go see the attractions in this area.
Weather also plays a big role - they want to get away from
the snow and enjoy the sunshine."
The hotel features two lighted tennis courts, hot tub, children's
pool and play area, lounge and sports bar, banquet accommodations,
gift shops, video arcade, laundry facilities, fitness center
and automated teller machines.
Guests are provided transportation to all Walt Disney World
attractions and early entry into select venues inside the
Magic Kingdom. Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal
Kingdom Theme Park are just minutes away.
Self-supporting and operated with non-appropriated funds,
Shades of Green is reserved for active duty and retired members
of the uniformed services, Reserves and National Guard, as
well as active and retired Department of Defense civilians
and their families.
Affordability, a term often lost on visitors to Disney World,
is the main attraction to Shades of Green. Room rates are
based on rank and range from $70 to $225 per night for a standard
room and $82 to $119 for a poolside room.
"The more junior enlisted you are, the better your savings,"
Colvin explained. "You can't find our room rates at any
other Walt Disney World Resort."
For room reservations at Shades of Green, call 888-593-2242
or fax to 407-824-3665. The hotel's direct number is 407-824-3400
and fax is 407-824-3460. An online reservation
system is coming soon.
Reservations are accepted up to one year in advance. Six
to eight months in advance traditionally is required to secure
a room. Holidays and long weekends tend to get booked a full
year in advance.
For soldiers on short-notice R&R leave, Shades of Green
has overflow contract arrangements with alternate hotels at
Walt Disney World Resort.
CFSC Chief of Hospitality Support Cheryl Mbaye believes Shades
of Green may rival Hale Koa Hotel for the No. 1 spot among
AFRCs.
"The Hale Koa has been our flagship property, but now
it has some competition with Shades of Green," said Mbaye,
who spent most of the past 18 months helping with renovation.
"This is just a beautiful resort."
Attractions
Two championship PGA and a 9 hole executive
course Operated by Walt Disney World Resort ®
Guest Services
and Attraction Ticket Sales
Two heated swimming pools and
hot tub
Children's wading pool and play area
Made in the Shade Gift "Shoppes"
Mangino's Tuscan Restaurant
Garden Gallery Restaurant
Evergreen's Sports Bar
AAFES General Store
Express Café
Eagles Lounge
Fitness Center
Banquet Facilities
ATM's
Video Arcade
And much more...
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