Back from SOG

[Poohbear5]

Thanks CapeCod.
The extra $10 is no biggie.
We were wondering if the upper floor might be quieter?
It's just the two of us this trip (celebrating our 25th anniversary).
Ever had problems with snakes or anything creeping in through the sliders??

 

[lookingforward]

Thanks CapeCod.
The extra $10 is no biggie.
We were wondering if the upper floor might be quieter?
It's just the two of us this trip (celebrating our 25th anniversary).
Ever had problems with snakes or anything creeping in through the sliders??

The pool rooms are convienent to the dining choices and exercise room. They are also fairly quiet when the doors are closed. The only "wildlife" problem I have seen was the many ducks that walk around and tend to hang by certain rooms. They are cute, though!

 

[Poohbear5]

Thanks. Guess we'll just leave our ressie as is and see how we like poolside!

 

[CapeCod95]

Ever had problems with snakes or anything creeping in through the sliders??

None.

Funny story - A year ago we had a poolside. We had just checked in and gotten to our room. Our kids (7,5,2) at the time get to the room, run over to the slider to see the view, pull back the curtains in front of the sliders and low and behold, on the outside of the slider starring my 2 year old straight in the eyes, nose to beak was a wild turkey with 3 or 4 of his friends. It was too funny!!

 

[Tiffany]

Well, it's much more likely that Pop Century doesn't have a parking fee because - like all the other Disney-owned resorts - it is owned and operated by Disney, while Shade of Green is owned (well, long-term leased) and operated by the Department of Defense. It's equivalent to the Dolphin and Swan, which charge about $10 per day to park in an open lot. They're on Disney property, the Guests get all* the perks of staying onsite - but they make their own decisions regarding additional fees.

*Okay, fine - except Magical Express and having purchases sent to the hotel.

You can have your purchases in the Disney parks sent back to the Swan and Dolphin.

 

[pcoleman]

On our trip in April of 07 we did have a snake go across the patio. I don't think it tried to get in. We always get a first floor room so we can expand out the patio. I personally don't like poo side because of the noise. The past several times I had small children with me and naps were a consideration. I have never experienced the noise late at night. I still believe for the money it can't be beat. I like the security of being on a military installation. Even on my last trip (dare I say it I did not stay at SOG) I went over and bought from the gift shop because tax free and much less expensive. Since my family can not afford to go every year, budget is a big consideration.

 

[lookingforward]

A positive is that you can use your STAR card (aafes) in the gift shop for souveniers. The prices are so much lower than Disney it is worth your while to visit even if you are staying at another hotel. They had cute kids tee shirts, swim wear and sweat shirts. Also, watches, wine, etc.

 

[buzzmom3]

We just stayed at SOG for 2 night last week before switching to All Star Movies. We had no problem with the staff and found the resort very quiet. It was really hard to move after having that big, beautiful room. Sorry your stay was not as good.

 

[bdcp]

We just got back from SOG and have had 3 great stays there over the last 10 years. It's quiet, you can't beat the location and our customer service experience has been great. For the $125/night we paid, we got a great location and a nice sized, quiet room. Our only issue was one morning, our neighbors, who must have been checking out or had early plans, were up at 5:15 am, talking, tv onn loudly, etc which we could easily hear (old section). We let it go and the next morning it was quiet. Our last night though was interesting, DH and I were "not actually sleeping" and our neighbor came in their room and tried to open the door between the rooms-weird, especially since there's only a door knob on one side of the door. I didn't think we were that loud, but it was still rude for them to try to open the door.

We saw Turkeys one morning and walking back one evening there were several deer and one was on the path in front of us just before we got to where the guard shack was. It only moved a short distance. We've seen deer before, but usually on the golf course.

We only used the bus for AK and it was packed at 0830. The rest of the trip we walked to Poly or TTC and used the bus, monorail or ferry for the other parks. They need to run two buses first thing in the am. DH and I stood all the way to AK and it was crammed full of people. We enjoy our walk to the Poly or TTC, but SOG could easily add a few buses.

Oh, and tinkerbellybutton, that's how the military works. You earn more the higher rank so you pay more the higher rank. DH and I have no problem paying the higher rate as he is an O-6. It's still a great deal even at the highest rate we pay. If everyone paid the same rate, you would be punishing the lowest rates/ranks who really can't afford it. There are a lot of the lower ranks actually fighting for us, so they should pay less. They could easily make more outside the military, but choose to serve. We have never had a bad experience at SOG and will be back.

 

[EnnEss]

For parking its very often an add on charge. I greatly prefer this method. Not everyone drives. This is really really common at hotels. Just wanted to let you know they're not alone in doing this by any means, but still sucks your stay was so bad.

Im not clear what the category thing was all about. sounds like a hassle.

 

[Sleepy]

I read that dh and I were the same category (two),.....

Where did you read that? SOG lists GS as Cat 3 http://www.shadesofgreen.org/roomrates.htm

 

[blondinkaya]

Where did you read that? SOG lists GS as Cat 3 http://www.shadesofgreen.org/roomrates.htm

I read it when I was booking, and it's listed on my confirmation.

This thread just goes to show that everyone has different experiences everywhere they go. I'm happy to hear that most everyone else's was so positive. It sucks that mine wasn't, and because of it, I'll be sticking with Disney resorts from here on out.

 

[Sleepy]

I read it when I was booking, and it's listed on my confirmation.

Could you give a link? I am naturally curious, because I have done online booking before and you have a scroll down option to choose your rank and for GS (I did it just today), you are directed to the highest rate for room pricing.

If it is listed on the website and on the confirmation, you should send link and copy of both to admin.

 

[blondinkaya]

Could you give a link? I am naturally curious, because I have done online booking before and you have a scroll down option to choose your rank and for GS (I did it just today), you are directed to the highest rate for room pricing.

If it is listed on the website and on the confirmation, you should send link and copy of both to admin.

Silly me didn't think to print out both what was listed on the website and my confirmation; I only printed out my confirmation, thinking that would be enough. Now I know it wasn't and that I should have printed out every stage of my booking at SOG (although that probably would've been in dispute as well).

Lesson learned. I will not be returning there and refuse to endorse it to others based on my own personal experience with not only the reservation issues but the others I had while there.

 

[kaytieeldr]

No, I think what Sleepy is saying is, if you can find the information NOW, and send copies (either actual printed documents through the mail, or screen prints via e-mail) and a concise explanation, you may be able to get some money back.

 

[blondinkaya]

I'm not looking to get anything back. I'm just not happy about the attitude that was taken by the staff in regards to the whole issue. And who would think to save screen shots if they're not anticipating any issues? I had no reason to suspect I'd have problems at check in. I printed out my confirmation and thought that would be what I'd need. That's what I always do whenever we travel, and I've never had any problems before.

I filled out that survey they send after you stay and let them know I won't be a repeat customer and explained why. That's all I'm going to do about it. And relay my experience here. I know SOG has glowing reviews, but there are cases to the contrary. I know I'm not the first, and I know I'm not going to be the last ...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, but I think we know you weren't looking for anything after the fact. It's too late to get good service, but I meant go back to the reservation site now and try to duplicate your original results.

Some (a couple?) of us are thinking that if you can prove, even now, to Shades of Green that you were overcharged, that maybe they'll refund you. I don't know, though... I mean, it was just a thought.

 

[Sleepy]

Okay, but I think we know you weren't looking for anything after the fact. It's too late to get good service, but I meant go back to the reservation site now and try to duplicate your original results.

Some (a couple?) of us are thinking that if you can prove, even now, to Shades of Green that you were overcharged, that maybe they'll refund you. I don't know, though... I mean, it was just a thought.

I was just trying to say if the OP could CURRENTLY find the location where it states GS is Cat 2 and in the booking, find where it allows GS to receive a Cat 2 rate, even if they don't want their money back, the error can be fixed on the website.

Not saying this is what happened, but with both of them qualifying, the reservation system gives room rates based on rank before you even give them any personal info. This scroll down is very detailed as far as options of rank (DOD civilians is separate from enlisted options). Since her personal info was not needed until AFTER getting the rates, maybe she put her husbands rank into the system for the rate, then since her personal info was easier to enter, she just put the reservation in her name .

 

[hildarumpole]

I decided to check out one of my reservation confirmation to see what it says about it. This was a reservation made in August at Category 2 rate. Under Additional Rate Details it lists E6-E9, W01-CW3, GS1-GS10, NF1-NF3, Widows, Medal of Honor Recipients, 100% Disabled Veterans, E1-E5 Sponsored. However, on the website, it clearly lists DoD employees as falling under the Category 3 rate. Maybe it's a glitch in the confirmation emails. I can understand why the OP would be unhappy when she showed up at SoG and was told something different. The staff probably could have handled things a bit better. It's unfortunate that it created such a poor impression of the resort, because it really is a terrific place.

 

[Sleepy]

I have not looked at my confirmation (made in August), but if the OP wanted to push for a refund of some sort, those of us with confirmations that states the same as hers could speak on her behalf .