Any ideas on where to stay?? *m*

[megnsamsgrace]

Okay, I already have a reservation at a condo outside of Disney for 2 weeks at $475 for the two weeks. I gave a $200 deposit (separate, will NOT come off the total owed). It is refundable. But, I would LOVE to stay onsite. I just realized about the SOG, my father is coming with us the entire time and is retired military. We will have 7 of us with us, DH and I, my dad and 4 kids 6, 5, 2 and a baby. Is there any hotel that would be worth it for us to stay at? I did look at HIFS but would LOVE to get the onsite experience. I am looking cheaply, even though my dad is splitting it I dont want to go overboard, the only reason DH agree to 14-16 days in Disney is because of hte cheap rate for the condo. We are going 10/-10/7 or so. Is it cheaper to buy some "points" or are there SOG hotels that can fit us? The reason I am even considering this is that the $200 is not going towards total due, its a deposit. It "will be returned after your stay". So what if the guy cheats us and makes a lie about something htat got ruined and he keeps it?? Then we are out the $675 and not the $475. So I am really looking at some deals on Disney property. We have the military discount, we have the entertainment book discount (is there one??) and we have AAA. I would love to do priceline (we did it last year) and get the swan or the dolphin... that would be AWESOME but I dont want to take a chance and get the Hilton or another one. I guess I could use our old cc# and see what comes up... Thanks for any help... Steph

 

[jel0511]

You'll need two rooms for a group your size and ANYWHERE on property, even getting two rooms at the All-Stars (using a discounted room) will run you over $1500 for two weeks. If you're willing to spend that much, staying on-site is a WONDERFUL experience, but it seems like you're getting a good deal staying off-site. Only you can decide if it's worth it to spend the extra $$$ for an on-site experience. SOG is currently located at the Contemporary and their rates are usually higher than a discounted room at the All Stars, and you'll need two rooms there as well.

 

[lmhall2000]

Shades of Green is a resort property run for military. They are under construction through December and giving Contemporary Resort rooms for about $100 a night- maybe even less depending on your father's status. Your father might have to be the one paying for it all and you reimbursing him or it might just be that he can show his I.D. once at the property- now the cool thing- is if they are booked up for those CR rooms- they will give you the same rate at another resort! Check mousesavers.com and look for military discount- then you can look up the shades of green website and make a phone call for the time you're travelling. Contemporary rooms are bigger than most resorts- but you would definitely need two rooms- I think they have adjoining there. But give it a shot and tell them your situation- SOG has a 800 number and they're a big help. My husband works for the Department of Defense but we couldn't qualify because he is a contracted civilian not just a regular civilian But the deals looked great!
Tara

 

[megnsamsgrace]

Then go on property for 3 nites. It wont be much but it will be nice. DH has at least 2 1/2 weeks of vacation time. My dad said he really wants to stay on site for a bit, he hasn't been on site since the rates for the Contemporary were $24 a nite! WOW! Now, he says he lost his military ID when moving a few years back. Anyone know how he can get a new one and find out the class so we can even see what the rate would be? Thanks, STeph

 

[goofy4dizney]

Hey there megnsamsgrace!

You will definitely need to have the military ID in order to check in, so I would get on that first -- but definitely go through the Shades of Green to stay onsite. Because that hotel is currently under rehab, you will get the same rate at some of the other onsite hotels. My choice is always WL -- the perfect family resort, but be aware that the rooms only sleep four.

Anyway, just wanted to tell you also to make sure you purchase your park tickets through SOG too. The discount, especially for that large of a group, is well worth the effort. They also sell discount tickets for other attractions in the area as well, so check that out while you're in there -- SeaWorld, etc.

Lastly, I think your idea about staying offsite for part of the time, then switching to on is probably the best. Three days at a Disney resort will definitely add to the MAGIC

 

[maggiew]

Just FYI, I think you have to be ACTIVE military or RETIRED from the military for the SOG discount.

 

[HorizonsFan]

my father is coming with us the entire time and is retired military.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

If your Dad is retired, he is surely in the military system(retirement checks). He should know what his rank was when he retired too. He can call the nearest base or post and find out about getting a new ID. Usually a fairly simple walk in procedure.
If there is a reserve unit or National Guard in his area they may have days they do ID's too. The rates for CR via SOG are posted on the SOG site. If it is full you can get on waitlist or ask for overflow rates to other resorts. We usually prefer overflow to try the various resorts but are going with CR for our upcoming visit since we wanted to try it too! Good luck. I "think" he can call and book through SOG with his SS# as long as he has ID by check in. Good luck!

 

[maggiew]

sorry, didn't see the "retired" part. I was just letting you know so that you wouldn't be surprised. Since you were asking about calling to find out his rank, etc. I wanted to make sure you knew that information.

 

[megnsamsgrace]

My father knows more than I do... I just didn't know where to tell him to start, he said he probably has the military ID "somewhere" but for the chance to go back to WDW (he hasnt been in lets say 30 years??) He said he would do whatever it took to get that darn ID... I will call SOG and see if we can even reserve the room with his SS# just for starters and then we still have almost 6 months to get the ID.... Steph