Calling all Military Dis'ers

[erinlees_mommie]

I have a few questions about SOG

I am getting ready to pay deposits on our resort for our upcoming trip..and just got an email from SOG about an opening for our dates.

POFQ-739.00 for 3 nights
SOG-414.00 for 3 nights

Here are my worries

1-Transportation
Is there transportation to and from the parks from SOG? If so how does it work?

2-POV parking
Is it free too like the other WDW resorts?

3-EMH
Is SOG included in the EMH and if they are is it the same schedule or do they have other restrictions?

Is it worth saving the $ on the resort to stay at SOG?

We stayed there before the big remodel .. and have stayed at PO when it was Dixie Landings.So we have done both but just not recently.

 

[cranbiz]

I can answer the bus part.

Buses run from SOG about every 30 minutes. They run upto 1 1/2 hours after the park is closed. I believe (but please check with someone else) that SOG guests can participate in EMH as I have seen the SOG bus at the TTC during EMH.

The SOG bus picks up and drops off in the charter lots of all parks except MK, at bus stop A/B at PI (by the red building) and at the TTC for MK. SOG buses also go to BB and TL. They have a small fleet of NovaBus buses and are well marked.

 

[nanceliz]

SoG does participate in the EMH same as Disney hotels.

Yes, you get a parking pass so you can park at the parks for free.

They do charge to park at the hotel. (I think it is $5 per day)

 

[pickles521]

I was just there last week.

1-Transportation
Is there transportation to and from the parks from SOG? If so how does it work?
There are busses from SoG to each park (TTC for Epcot and MK). In my experience they are reliable and even when packed the people are friendly. You can also walk to the Poly and hop a monorail. My only complaint about SoG transportation is that the busses don't run often. Some buses run only once an hour. You can always hop Disney transport to the poly, though. Or - you can drive your own car. Parking is free for SoG guests.

2-POV parking
Is it free too like the other WDW resorts?
There is a $5 a day charge to park. Yeah, they charge you for parking, but really... add $15 to your bill and you still come out way ahead. And don't forget - parking at the parks is free.

3-EMH
Is SOG included in the EMH and if they are is it the same schedule or do they have other restrictions? SoG guest are eligible. They give you a special card to use with your room key to prove you're a current SoG guest. No other differences.

Is it worth saving the $ on the resort to stay at SOG?
In my mind - it's worth it. Not even worth thinking about going anywhere else. We spent 3 days in SoG and our last night in the Wilderness Lodge. I thought we were going to go stircrazy in the teeny-tiny tin can of a room at WL - and there were only 2 adults! Really - we'll never stay anywhere else unless we win the lottery (I want to see those high end suites!) or SoG doesn't have room.

We love our time at SoG. Rooms are much bigger, price is much lower, fellow guests tend to be more polite and respectful (though we did have a very bad interaction in the little AAFES shop this time. ! time in 9 visits, though). I love Disney - but I'm not sure I'll ever stay in a Disney hotel again as long as SoG is around.

Either way - enjoy your trip!

 

[erinlees_mommie]

WOW
THANKS!!
When we went to SOG the first time before the big remodel I don't remember having any of these luxuries but we didn't know too much about making the best of our trips We were just go go go .. and took our own car because our fur baby was at the Kennel in WDW.

THANKS again so much for all of your help and answers! This will make it a lot easier to decide what to do..SOG HERE WE COME

 

[MareSINY]

When you booked your trip did you talk to a CM or do it online? The reason I'm asking is because when I booked my family's upcoming trip I did it online but then called to make some changes. When I was talking to the CM it came up that we were going to be getting the military discount tickets when we arrived. She asked if we had checked for a military room discount, which I hadn't done. She checked and found us a really amazing deal. We're saving about $300 a day on a THV. We were able to get the dining plan on a room only ressie because of the military ticket deal that's going on.

If you haven't already done so you might want to check and see what the current military discount being offered at Disney is.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

Pickles -

Did you stay in one of the newly renovated rooms in the old section? If so, how was it?

Thanks,

Debbie

 

[bouncycat]

I've never stayed at SOG, but have used the military 40% off this year, and it was totally worth it, we stayed in FW in the cabins. Look into the 40% off military deal, you can also add the dining plan, with was worth it also, had LOTS of good food!

 

[erinlees_mommie]

I've never stayed at SOG, but have used the military 40% off this year, and it was totally worth it, we stayed in FW in the cabins. Look into the 40% off military deal, you can also add the dining plan, with was worth it also, had LOTS of good food!

We have used the 40% rate 3 times already this year and I believe it ends 12/23 with the rest of the military offers.
My friend that is the TA is a military wife and she checks them all out for me.
The PO is the best deal that she could find But I'll check into it before I pay for SOG.

There were no resorts available according to her during the time we are going.

 

[rlovew]

Pickles -

Did you stay in one of the newly renovated rooms in the old section? If so, how was it?

Thanks,

Debbie

All of the rooms should be renovated by the end of the year- In September they were renovating the rooms in the section that had not been renovated before- the whole building was down for renovations and it was supposed to be done by the end of October.

The rooms are nice- I reall like have the table and chairs as well as the couch along with the beds- lots of room.

They have a fridge in the room and I love the size of the bathrooms.

 

[claytonj20]

I just got back, but I did not stay at SOG although we went there to buy our tickets I know there are a lot of purists who love to stay onsite, which is cool cause everyone has their own magic

I just like to mention AFVC when I see a military thread, because I think it is a smokin' deal. We stayed in a 3 bedroom (well 2 BDR with a loft) 2 bathroom condo with a full kitchen and washer/dryer 1 mile or so from AK for 2 weeks at 329 a week. tough to beat even if you have to pay for parking at the parks.

There are still alot of people who dont know about The Armed Forces Vacation Club so I like to put it out there. I think they have a special for 299 a week right now...I missed out on that.

 

[pickles521]

Pickles -

Did you stay in one of the newly renovated rooms in the old section? If so, how was it?

Thanks,

Debbie

Here's the whole rundown:

We usually request the "old" section, but it was closed for refurbishment when we went the beginning of October, so we were in the "new" section. It was very nice. Two sinks in the bathroom, door to the sinks and a door between the sinks and toilet/shower, couch, table + 2 chairs. Nice view of the pond with the fish (the falcon - or whatever that bird is - actually got lucky while we were watching! He definately didn't go hungry that day, but it was a bad day for one of the koi in the pond). Electronic housekeeping/do not disturb buttons. Overall, a nice room. No complaints.

Last week, we were back to the room we usually request in the "old" section (though we didn't request anything this time. Was it just coincidence that we got this room or do they keep track of your requests?). The room was freshly refurbished. The girl who checked us in warned that there may be some glue smell from the carpet, but we didn't notice anything and I'm usually very sensitive to smells. So, the room layout was exactly the same as it has been. No structural changes at all. Still one sink in the bathroom with a wall seperating it from the toilet and the bathtub/shower in the same room. There was new tile and ceiling tile. The counter was new - dark granite looking. Very pretty. The shower rod is one of those curved ones and the shower curtain has mesh for the top 12 inches or so to let in plenty of light. The housekeeping/ do not disturb is still manual and there is still a half wall seperating the table + 2 chairs and the couch from the rest of the room. The furniture was new - it now matches the "new" section. It's one long buffet type dresser. Six drawers I think. There was a lamp, small coffee pot and brand spankin' new (still with stickers on it!) flat screen tv on top and a refrigerator inside. There was also new bedding. Very nice white comforter and 4 pillows per bed. This was the most striking - and welcome! - change for me. I love the new bedding. Overall, a nice room - no complaints.

I did notice a small wet spot in the bathroom ceiling that I notified them of. It wasn't bothering us, but it's a new room and I thought they'd like to know. They fixed it that day. I think my only complaint would be that I miss the 4 chairs. I liked having 4 chairs. We often travel with 5 adults, so they really come in handy. Other than that - it was fine. It wasn't a remodel, which I was led to believe, just a refurb, which was fine. The new furniture is nice and matches the other section, the bathroom tile and counter are pretty. Bedding is great. Overall - same great value as before.

In the last month I've been lucky enough to have stayed in both sections of SoG as well as Concierge level at the Grand Floridian and a courtyard view of Wilderness Lodge. I no longer have any desire to stay in a Disney hotel. The rooms at SoG are much bigger, and the fellow guests tend to be much friendlier and more polite. It's true that SoG doesn't have all Mickey, all the time, and since the employees aren't Disney employees you won't get the magic, but frankly - I didn't get any more magic at the GF or WL than I did at SoG and enjoy not being quite so surrounded by Mickey. If you want to stay at a Disney hotel, be sure to ask about the military discounts - you can get some awesome deals! - but don't be heart broken if the price of SoG wins out. I love the hotel. We'll definately be back!

 

[edk35]

I just got back, but I did not stay at SOG although we went there to buy our tickets I know there are a lot of purists who love to stay onsite, which is cool cause everyone has their own magic

I just like to mention AFVC when I see a military thread, because I think it is a smokin' deal. We stayed in a 3 bedroom (well 2 BDR with a loft) 2 bathroom condo with a full kitchen and washer/dryer 1 mile or so from AK for 2 weeks at 329 a week. tough to beat even if you have to pay for parking at the parks.

There are still alot of people who dont know about The Armed Forces Vacation Club so I like to put it out there. I think they have a special for 299 a week right now...I missed out on that.

WOW I would love to know more about this AFVC. We are DVC members but my husband is retired Navy. Could you PM me the information. Thanks.

 

[ladeedeb]

I keep looking into staying somewhere else every year and we always end up at SOG. We love the size of the rooms and that the beds are queens and the fold-out is the new kind without a bar. Even looking at 40% off or free dining, didn't compare to the price savings at SOG. Okay, so the food isn't so good. We walk across to the Poly quite a bit. We rent a car so we pay the $60 total to park, which I figure that into the price when comparing. The place doesn't have the theming of the Disney Resorts, but it is tranquil, peaceful, and a great place to come back to rest. Plus, they have a Starbucks. Yes, if we could afford to stay at the CR, Poly, or BC/YC, we would, but I just can't justify spending that much when we can get SOG for the price of a very discounted moderate. Just my 2 cents.

By the way, at one point they decided to take away the EMH right when we got there and neglected to mention it until we were there. We spoke with several people and wrote some letters and they reinstated it. This was a few years ago. Hopefully they will never try & take it away again. They hadn't wanted to pay for it, but I think $5/day for parking to cover the EMH is worth it.

Have Fun!

 

[edk35]

I keep looking into staying somewhere else every year and we always end up at SOG. We love the size of the rooms and that the beds are queens and the fold-out is the new kind without a bar. Even looking at 40% off or free dining, didn't compare to the price savings at SOG. Okay, so the food isn't so good. We walk across to the Poly quite a bit. We rent a car so we pay the $60 total to park, which I figure that into the price when comparing. The place doesn't have the theming of the Disney Resorts, but it is tranquil, peaceful, and a great place to come back to rest. Plus, they have a Starbucks. Yes, if we could afford to stay at the CR, Poly, or BC/YC, we would, but I just can't justify spending that much when we can get SOG for the price of a very discounted moderate. Just my 2 cents.

We are DVC members now but we have stayed at SOG a few times with the last time being Jan. 08. We love it there. It will always be our GO TO place when we are low on points or want to be close to MK for maybe a short trip. Last summer my dd wanted to stay at Poly for 2 nights before we moved to BCV. So we did using that 40% off deal. Well you know what....my dh and I missed the SOG. The rooms are HUGE for one thing and it is so quiet and peaceful there. Our Poly room was closer to the TTA than the main bldg. at Poly. It was not very clean either and our view was the parking lot. They probably gave us this room because of that discount. It will probably be the last time we stay at POLY unless they build a DVC there. We love SOG and it is so much cheaper than other deluxe resorts. I would not hesitate to stay there for many years to come.

 

[claytonj20]

EDK35...PM sent!

 

[Charleston Zurg]

sorry wrong post

 

[erinlees_mommie]

Thanks y'all!
We haven't stayed there since 2001 right after 9/11.
We have been back to buy our tickets and it looked very nice compared to what it looked like before.
I did end up booking with them today..YAY and we are saving a lot of $ going this route.
Our goal is to stay at all resorts but not when we can't get the resorts at a good price..LOL As we all know the military pay isn't off the charts for sure.

Thanks for all of the input! Can't wait to start packing again.I guess that I should have just left bags packed.A trip in Feb,Aug,Oct and now Dec...And a DCL cruise in May/June that isn't including the 2 years before this.We should just keep suitcases packed and by the door ready to head out to Disney.

 

[bellemeeko1]

Okay I have a question about the passes.....

Last May my DH received his free pass and we bought 2 friends and family passes under my DH's name/ID. We are now going again in December...our DS is also military bought us passes for Christmas. He is now no longer able to go due to military obligations......so we can still use our passes he bought for us, my DH will just have to show his military ID when we go to activate these correct or will they not let him because he used his ID in May?? We have a copy of our DS's ID just incase they question anything.....has anyone had this happen to them???

 

[bouncycat]

Not sure about the activating them, a spouses card may be good enough, BUT do realize that these cards are only good until Dec 23rd, that's when all the military pixie dust goes away!!