RichKoster
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Posted: July 15, 2003 11:14 am/pm |
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 Shades of Green resort at Walt Disney World Disney delays reopening until March 2004
Unexpected delays have postponed the Shades of Green reopening to March 1 instead of December 15
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The renovated Armed Forces Recreation Center “Shades of Green” at Walt Disney World Resort will open its doors to guests March 1 instead of Dec. 15 as originally planned.
Unexpected construction delays have caused officials to move the opening date back 76 days, according to Peter F. Isaacs, chief operating officer at the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center. He said When Shades of Green does reopen, there will be 586 new or renovated rooms, 500 new covered parking spaces and 7,500 square feet for special events.
“When we were on schedule, we began accepting guest reservations in December of last year,” said Isaacs. “We sincerely regret the inconvenience this causes our customers and want to give them as much advance notice as possible. We are in the process of notifying those who have reservations and offering them other options.”
Shades of Green General Manager Jim McCrindle personally signed more than 2,200 letters to guests already booked at Shades of Green, informing them of the delay. “We’re genuinely sorry for the delay, but it was unavoidable,” he said.
Guests who already hold reservations are offered three options:- 1. Keep the same vacation dates for 2004 at the same room rates guaranteed in 2003.
- 2. Keep their vacation dates for 2003 at a comparable Disney Resort at the same room rates plus the applicable state tax of 11 percent.
- 3. Cancel the existing reservation and receive a full refund.
The renovation and expansion project that began in April 2002 was driven by high demand that kept the original 288 rooms at or near 100 percent occupancy. The hotel is financially self-sufficient, and no taxpayer dollars are used in the operations or for the new construction.
Among the new rooms are 10 additional six- and eight-person suites. More rooms also conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“We had handicapped-accessible rooms before, but now we will have bona fide ADA-designed and equipped rooms with wider bathroom doors and roll-in showers,” said McCrindle.
Existing rooms are completely made over with new carpet, paint, curtains, and bedding. All rooms, except the suites, are the same size and are equipped with ironing boards, refrigerators, and new televisions with wireless keyboards. Guests will be able to play games and order attraction tickets online as well as access the Internet for a nominal fee to check e-mail.
There will be a ballroom, meeting rooms, and four eateries. Existing restaurants were completely remodeled and a northern Italian-theme “trattoria” is being added.
The current room rates of $66 for E-1 through E-5 will only go up $4 to $70. Other rates are computed on a sliding scale based on rank.
The Armed Forces Recreation Center is open to DOD ID-card holders in all branches of military service: active-duty and reserve components, DOD civilians, both military and civilian DOD retirees, and their families.
“The information about our new opening date and reservations is on our Web site,” said McCrindle, adding “The best way to make a reservation is to use the web site as the phones tend to be overloaded.”
The Web site is www.shadesofgreen.org or call toll free 1-888-593-2242.
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 RichKoster, Disney Echo modEARator
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