The Forgotten Walt Disney World Resort

There's a Walt Disney World resort that guests totally forget about. And it's quite a beautiful place as these photographs prove. I know I have not thought about this place until recently. Have you been there? Or do you even know about it? Let's take a look at this place. I can assure you that it may make you look more than once to trying to get a reservation.

The Golf Resort- a premium destination.

The Shades of Green resort was once known as the Golf Resort. Back in 1973 when it added rooms and was no longer just a clubhouse for the courses, it was the premier location to play a few rounds, stay in a peaceful environment and enjoy all the associated amenities of a resort that was not geared toward children. The resort may have been off the monorail route and a bit of a distance from Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, but that was part of its secluded charm. Think of a resort that had the original Disney Village vibe (the predecessor to Disney Springs), and you'll get an idea of how it all felt.

In the mid 1980's, the number of resort rooms doubled in size and the name was changed to the Disney Inn as an attempt to get more non-golfers to stay at the intimate resort. Later in 1994, the U.S. Military was pleased to lease and later purchase the resort as a new Armed Forces Recreation Center. The name was changed to Shades of Green to reference the color of uniforms all soldiers wore from different branches of the military.

The lobby waterfall at Shades of Green.

The rustic waterfall area of the lobby reminds me a bit of the original waterfall in the center of the Polynesian Village. Instead of a tropical theme, there's a Rocky Mountain look reminiscent of the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Denver. It's a peaceful place, a very relaxed environment giving the resort and elegant and restful flavor.

The photos above and the video below come from the excellent WDW Explore and Chill video site. Be sure to check it out for other great tours after you've finished touring Shades of Green. Enjoy!