we have stayed at Shades for 3 trips, and really like it. We are also a family of 5, so the bigger rooms are a must for us. For us it is a quieter hotel, but I agree the dining options aren't the best. We usually do room service once or twice, pizza, then plan mostly to eat somewhere else. We take a quick walk to the Poly and hop on the monorail, so never feel like we are out of the "bubble". And the EMH benefits are nice too. But I look at some of the themed resorts and think I would feel overwhelmed immersed 24/7, so the quieter SOG is better for us. (especially with Dh's PTSD he needs a quieter, less crowded place to decompress). I am excited for the pool changes that are planned too, though the kids have always been fine with the reg pool.
Would love to stay at the Poly and the volcano pool one day, the kids ooh and ahh every time we go to catch the monorail, but I think it is being refurbed?
That being said we are planning a split stay over the Christmas holiday this year, starting at SOG and then moving to the Contemporary. Hoping the 60 day fast pass booking, Theme Park View for fireworks and ability to walk to MK will help us navigate the Christmas crowds better!