Any Shades of Green experts out there?

[jjskribs]

I am hoping to take a short Christmas trip to SOG next year. Because my youngest is in college this is the only time we can go to Disney together. On the reservation page it stated that the rates were in effect year round except for Christmas Holiday packages. Does anyone know if you are able to book rooms separately or do you have to purchase a package during this week?

 

[Sleepy]

Going by previous years before they started the remodeling, you were required to purchase the package deal during the Christmas season. Firstno would be the person for more up to date info....if her informant has any new updates concerning how things will be when the resort reopens. Hopefully there will be more food choices, eating times and an actual DISCOUNT included in the *packages* opposed to them just taking the room rate and adding the REGULAR price of each meal to create the package price. Seems to me it was a waste of money. Don't know about what the package rate during holiday was, but I would almost consider staying at a real Disney resort at room only rate before wasting my money on meals I would never eat.

 

[dcfromva]

jjskribs,
In the past (this was in 1998), we had to book a package over Christmas. It included some meals (mostly just breakfast each morning and I believe at least 1 dinner per stay) and a couple of other things (like picture with Santa). There was also a minimum stay when I booked.
They have been closed for renovations, so there is no telling if this is what they will be doing for 2004. If I recall correctly, I booked a year out. I don't know if they just started the package thing in 1998--but, they told me about it about 3 months prior. I was not happy about it, but even with the added per person cost of meals, it was still less expensive to stay at SOG than other Disney properties at Christmastime. One of the reasons I did not like the meal package was because it was only for meals at SOG. Even if you liked to eat there, if you had plans for a character breakfast somewhere, you still had to pay for the SOG breakfast. (I hope there is more flexibility with the new program).

Can't you start making your Christmas 2004 ressies on Mon? You could always reserve for SOG and then if you found a better deal elsewhere as long as you cancel more than 30 days out, you could cancel out on the SOG.
-DC

 

[Maridw]

When we were going to book for Christmas in 03, it was for a package and there was a list to get in for Christmas. We were told that we would be notified if we got in. Then the renovations went past the scheduled opening.

So if you want to book for Christmas 04, I would call and check to see if you can start booking now. I know one year they had a draw of names for Christmas. I don't remember if that is what they were going to do for 03 or not. They had received quite a few calls concering booking for Christmas. You can also put in reservation request online. But I would actually call and talk to someone to verify the information.

 

[Sleepy]

Originally posted by dcfromva
jjskribs,
One of the reasons I did not like the meal package was because it was only for meals at SOG. -DC

Don't forget that not only was the meals for the only restaurant at SOG, but dinner was a themed buffet style meal ONLY served during certain hours. I for one would second a motion for flexibility in both food choices AND times you can eat it.

 

[disney4us2002]

We were originally booked for Christmas 2003 as well before renovations ran long and we were told only packages which included the daily bkfts, one dinner, and the Stars and Stripes pass as well. It was way over the regularly per diem cost and it would have been less expensive to stay onsite. I wonder if that is how they weed out the 'too many' requests? We decided against this year but decided against SoG before we decided to wait another year for a Disney Christmas. I think the minimum stay was 5 nights.

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by jjskribs
I am hoping to take a short Christmas trip to SOG next year. Because my youngest is in college this is the only time we can go to Disney together. On the reservation page it stated that the rates were in effect year round except for Christmas Holiday packages. Does anyone know if you are able to book rooms separately or do you have to purchase a package during this week?

Let's see....I stayed there over two dozen times as a guest and worked in the resv dept for 3yrs. Does that qualify me as an expert? (VBG) On to your question and the comments of others.....

In years past, if you were staying any where between the dates of, roughly, Dec 20 and Jan 1, you were on a package....no exceptions. The package was NOT a savings package and was a great big waste of $$$, IMO. However, because people would pay it, SoG charged it.

That stated, I have been advised by my informant that SoG has changed the package so it will be a savings package. Without knowing what those prices are like (and they won't come out for months), I can't comment on the actuality of what I was told, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. You are welcome to book up to 3 rooms under the sponsor, however you all will be on a package.

Now, as to when you can book: SoG books 53 weeks (that is 1yr and 1wk in advance....you'd be amazed at how many people thought 53 weeks was 13 months). The new week turns over every SUNDAY. When I worked the email resv system, I worked on the weekends (that way, resvs was open 7 days a week...my idea was not kept when I left) and those guests that emailed got first dibs because I was there. Now, it's fight it all out Mon AMs (G).

If I'm counting correctly, tomorrow (Mon) every one should be able to book through Jan 1, 2005. BUT, since that is smack dab during package time, what will happen is this: those guests that will want to be here during package time will go on a wait list. It's NOT because they are all ready sold out, it's because they take their time in getting the package together and it's not ready a year out. The agents, if they haven't changed the procedures, will tell the guests that SoG will start to contact guests, IN THE ORDER THEY WERE PLACED ON THE LIST, some time in the spring.

In years past, I've seen the calling start as early as Feb and as late as May. It just depends how quickly the PTB (powers that be) get their prices together. I have no doubt that this past week was a very busy week for the resv dept and there are all ready dozens on the waiting list since last week they should have been able to list through Dec 25.

As always, any questions, feel free to ask and I'll try my best to answer them.