Shades of Green or the Dolphin?

[Rabscuttle]

Would you pick the Dolphin with the military discount over Shades of Green? We aren't sure we are going to rent a car which will make getting the tickets a bit harder.

 

[Ash&Wes07]

If the rates are comparable, Dolphin for sure.

You can walk to Epcot/DHS. The rooms are nicer, although I believe they are smaller. The pool and food options are better as well. The park shuttles/boats are much better than SOG (we always end up walking to the Poly from SOG to use their transportation or just driving to the parks). You wouldn't need to rent a car staying at either hotel, imo. You could make do with the shuttle services and use an airport shuttle to/from MCO.

We've loved all of our stays at SOG. We'd stay there again. But, to choose between SOG and Dolphin, I'd most certainly choose the Dolphin.

As far as getting tickets, if you are planning on buying the Armed Forces Salute 4-day tickets, you can do that at any ticket window. All you save by buying them at SOG is tax. You'll have to decide if that's worth staying at SOG or driving/taking a taxi over there just to get tickets.

 

[gracy_hm]

Firstly let me send my respect to you and/or your family member for your military services. It is a tough job and as an American Citizen what you do for us is beyond words so thank you!

Now between the SOG and Dolphin I would go Dolphin the tickets issue could you get them before you leave? I will say Dolphins transportation would be the better between them all.Also Location wist I like its location a bit more and I've read some not so good reviews of late for SOG. Ultimatly it will boil down to what works for you but thats my feeling on it.


Thanks again and have a great vacation!

 

[kitnrose99]

I like both resorts but for opposite reasons. S&D is great for if you want to feel like you're there in the action. It's terribly convenient for both Epcot and HS. since it's right there in the group of resorts and parks it's a pretty high energy feel. SOG feels more like a wilderness resort, really low key and restful. The downsides are the food and less convenience to the parks (though the walk to Poly to catch the monorail felt comparable to the S&D walk to Epcot, IMO), the upside is the peace. If you prefer to hit the parks hard, enjoying the Boardwalk in the evenings, and feeling like the world is right there the S&D. If you like your vacation to be about taking it easy, beautiful nature walks, and sitting by a quiet pool the SOG is perfect. Personally I like SOG best but I'm a slow vacationer and love the quiet. You milage will vary!

 

[angryduck71]

Make sure you check the Shades website EVERY DAY though -- I got rooms for half-off during my stay in late Oct./early Nov. I cannot beat the price of $65/night and the size of the rooms. Of course, we will be renting a car and will drive to some parks (it costs now to park at the parks, which is a shame, but I'm going to try to see if I can talk my way in without paying).

 

[stashbin]

I read a really bad review of SOG yesterday. You might want to snoop around the boards to find it. My FIL was offered SOG through the Corps of Engineers and we almost booked it until we did some investigating and saw it didn't suit our needs and desires.
I have never stayed at the Dolphin but we have a friend who stays there a good bit. He and his family love it there.
Best of luck!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I would pick the Dolphin for the location - walking to Epcot and DHS. If you are near a military base, you can buy the Salute tickets at the MWR/ITT office ahead of time.

Also just want to make sure you know that there is a military discount for the Disney resorts. 30% off Values, 35% off Moderates, 40% off Deluxes. You can add the dining plan to the military-discounted room, also (at cost), which is not an option for either the Dolphin or SOG. Plus you would be able to use Magical Express.

 

[bellemeeko1]

Just got back late last night from our 11th stay at Shades (16th trip to Disney) have stayed at moderates and deluxe and always say Shades cant be beat.....the only issue is the food but we eat in the parks anyways....we LOVE the transportation and if its busy when we are there we walk to the Poly and hop on the monorail....a very easy, pretty walk over. The rooms are very large...can sleep 6 adults.....2 queen beds, one fold out couch and they will bring up a cot free of charge. The bathrooms have 2 sinks and sep room for shower/tub and toilet. 2 awesome pools a hot tub and a kiddie pool, buses to all parks and downtown disney, you do get to use the extra magic hours and pkg delivery, just cant participate in the dining plan or magical express....parking is $5/day in a parking garage. everything bought there is TAX FREE not so at any of the other resorts!

 

[DCbride]

We were at the SoG 2 weeks ago. We loved how quiet the resort is and close it is to the MK - which is the park we go to the most. We added the morning buffet every day which was only $10, you can not get a breakfast buffet anywhere on Disney for that price. Filling up on the buffet ment we could have a light lunch in the parks and do our ADR for dinner. The savings on the tax alone allowed us to rent a car which gave us even more flex power.

That being said, we are staying at the Dolphin in Nov because DH's parents are going and they love EPCOT so we like the easy walk/boat ride for them.

 

[Mrsjvb]

My personal opinion: the only thing wrong with SoG is the on site food options now that Evergreen's has closed.

if you like to have a late night snack or even dinner at your resort, then SoG is not the best option. the Breakfast Buffet however is spot on, and the little lunch counter by the bus stop works quite well for casual lunches( they even will make up a picnic basket for you to take into the parks with you)

but if you want a drink in a bar at the end of the day.. then no, SoG will not fit the bill.

it is because of this that we will be dipping our toes into AKL next year when DH returns from his jaunt Overseas. even with the 40% off typical discount we are going to be paying much more than SoG, but to us the most important thing is the ability to have a NICE selection for dinner and a relaxing evening at a bar afterwards.



Swan has Q beds, IIRC, while Dolphin only has Full. Beds in SoG are Q size.

 

[WishesOnMyMind]

I like both resorts but for opposite reasons. S&D is great for if you want to feel like you're there in the action. It's terribly convenient for both Epcot and HS. since it's right there in the group of resorts and parks it's a pretty high energy feel. SOG feels more like a wilderness resort, really low key and restful. The downsides are the food and less convenience to the parks (though the walk to Poly to catch the monorail felt comparable to the S&D walk to Epcot, IMO), the upside is the peace. If you prefer to hit the parks hard, enjoying the Boardwalk in the evenings, and feeling like the world is right there the S&D. If you like your vacation to be about taking it easy, beautiful nature walks, and sitting by a quiet pool the SOG is perfect. Personally I like SOG best but I'm a slow vacationer and love the quiet. You milage will vary!

We did a split stay at the Dolphin and SOG in 2009; I absolutely agree with kitnrose99, if you are more of a Epcot/DHS family, go with Swan/Dolphin. If you are more of a MK family, go with SOG. Although my goal is to try all of the resorts, I most definitely will be returning to SOG. For our family, it is a great fit (bigger rooms, low-key theme, low-cost)!