confused about staying at shades of green and using MDE

[jackiep9]

Hi everyone, last time we went to Disney was March of 2013 and we stayed at Art of Animation. Everything was really easy with fast passes, magic bands, dinner reservations, etc. We used the military salute 4 day park hopper and were able to book everything far ahead. (I don't remember the timeline anymore but I did everything as soon as it was available)

Well, now we're planning a trip for January of 2018 and thinking about staying at Shades of Green. I think we don't get magic bands, but we can still use fast pass through My Disney experience? But maybe only 30 days out instead of 60? Can we still make advance dinner reservations? Do we get early entrance to any of the parks staying at SoG?

Is 30 days advance for fast pass (if that's what it is) a big draw back?

Also, we want to wait to see if Disney will offer the military salute 4 day park hopper passes again in 2018. From what I've read, traditionally they don't announce that til september/october. If we only have tickets 3 months ahead is that a problem? I don't think we can do anything on MDE until we have park tickets if we aren't staying at a disney resort, right?

Thanks for any help. I'm a total newbie on this disney stuff!

 

[BrianL]

I can't speak specifically for Shades of Green, but for most things 30 days is enough time to secure Fast Passes. You may have trouble with Frozen Ever After and Rivers of Light and the new Avatar stuff at AK, but almost everything else will have availability (maybe not the best possible times on some of the other headliners).

As far as ADRs, anyone can make an ADR 180 days in advance. The only advantage to the on-site stayers is that they can make them for their entire trip at 180 days from their first day, giving them a little jump on the others. Off-site stayers have to make them 1 day at a time, 180 days from the date of the actual meal. Really, though, availability for most places should be easy at that point except for maybe Be Our Guest and Cinderella's Royal Table. You could probably still get them though unless you are just set on a 7 PM on the dot dinner.

There is nothing to be done with tickets 3 months in advance. You would only need them before you start making your Fast Passes, which will be either 60 or 30 days out. Booking ADRs is not contingent upon having tickets at all.

Best of luck in your planning!

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Regarding 30 vs 60 days out.............for recent headliners during peak times of the year, the 60 days helps you get things that "sell out" quickly. Think 7DMT, Frozen, Pandora attractions, any other fresh attractions that are not open yet, but may be fresh when you visit.

 

[erionm]

Shades of Green resort guests are eligible for Extra Magic Hours.

 

[sharonabe]

If you still have your Magic Bands from your last trip, you can use them again. Once your information is entered into your MDE, the magic bands can access it.

 

[mindeola]

You only need your salute tickets to be in MDE before you make FP at thirty days. You will have plenty of time. This year they are offering a five day pass which is fabulous! Maybe they will next year too.

You can make dining 180 days out. No need to have park tickets yet.

Check into Disney properties as well. With military discounts the price is comparable with value and some mods.

 

[jackiep9]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone. My husband and I are both active duty. If we stay at SoG, can we also book a separate room for my non-military mom and sister who will be traveling with us?

 

[PSULion]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone. My husband and I are both active duty. If we stay at SoG, can we also book a separate room for my non-military mom and sister who will be traveling with us?

Yep. We get a room for my non-military mom every trip.

 

[firstwdw]

little over a month to go for our first stay at SOG. 30 days out fast passes, dining can be booked at 180days out (day by day-not all on the first day of your 180 booking window like Disney resorts). NO ISSUES at all getting dining for a very very busy Easter week. I wouldn't let that deter you. People have reported issues with certain times for Mine Train and no avail for Frozen Ever After and that's it for fast passes.

Also, Shades gets early magic hours. You can also ship items you purchase in the park back to shades for free just like in a Disney resort. I've heard you can check your luggage for your return flight right at Shades but I'm not sure if there is a cost. There is no free airport transportation but rental cars can be super cheap and they do suggest private towncar companies to use. Your old magic bands will still work as park tickets and for memory maker and to scan at rides where you are using a fast pass. You can not charge back to your room with the magic band nor can you open your room door with it.

And yes you can book a room for your non-military family. I think they pay the tier higher than what you pay and if you are the highest tier then they pay the same as you for the room. No taxes. Book early-they fill fast. You book a year in advance. You owe first night stay at booking and can cancel up to 30 days with full refund. Otherwise if you cancel within 30days then I think you loose the first night stay. Sometimes they offer a special with free breakfast buffet included with room and every review has said the buffet is the best breakfast they've had in Disney!

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

You only need your salute tickets to be in MDE before you make FP at thirty days. You will have plenty of time. This year they are offering a five day pass which is fabulous! Maybe they will next year too.

You can make dining 180 days out. No need to have park tickets yet.

Check into Disney properties as well. With military discounts the price is comparable with value and some mods.

There are three price categories of rooms at SOG, based on pay grade (the higher the pay grade, the more you pay for a room). Taking into account the 35% off moderates for on-site rooms, we've paid essentially the same price to stay at a mod as we would at SOG. The rooms at SOG are large, though; and the resort is nice (but not nearly as "themed" as the WDW resorts).

OP, if you stay at SOG, you'll need transportation (no Magical Express), and it's $7 a night for parking.

SOG guests do have access to EMH.

You will not get a magic band.

You cannot use a dining plan.

You will be able to make ADRs at 180 days (day-by-day, the same as any other off-site guest).

You can make FP+ at 30 days out.

 

[subtchr]

There are three price categories of rooms at SOG, based on pay grade (the higher the pay grade, the more you pay for a room). Taking into account the 35% off moderates for on-site rooms, we've paid essentially the same price to stay at a mod as we would at SOG. The rooms at SOG are large, though; and the resort is nice (but not nearly as "themed" as the WDW resorts).

OP, if you stay at SOG, you'll need transportation (no Magical Express), and it's $7 a night for parking.

SOG guests do have access to EMH.

You will not get a magic band.

You cannot use a dining plan.

You will be able to make ADRs at 180 days (day-by-day, the same as any other off-site guest).

You can make FP+ at 30 days out.

A couple other points to add to the helpful info above:

SOG guests have to pay for parking at the parks ($20 per day), if they choose to drive.

The FP+ at 30 days out is day-by-day.

SOG does have park transportation, but it operates on a schedule, and the buses run less often than Disney buses. It also does not have buses to the MK, just the TTC (But you can easily walk to the Poly and take the monorail from there). Here's a link to this week's schedule: SOG TRANSPORTATION SCHEDULE MAR 12-18

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

A couple other points to add to the helpful info above:

SOG guests have to pay for parking at the parks ($20 per day), if they choose to drive.

The FP+ at 30 days out is day-by-day.

SOG does have park transportation, but it operates on a schedule, and the buses run less often than Disney buses. It also does not have buses to the MK, just the TTC (But you can easily walk to the Poly and take the monorail from there). Here's a link to this week's schedule: SOG TRANSPORTATION SCHEDULE MAR 12-18

The walk to/from the TTC isn't terrible. It's a bit dark in places, though, and there are alligator warnings (which kind of freak me out - my bro has seen a couple, too)

 

[subtchr]

The walk to/from the TTC isn't terrible. It's a bit dark in places, though, and there are alligator warnings (which kind of freak me out - my bro has seen a couple, too)

Hah, this reminds me...one stay at SoG, probably way back in 2000, before it was refurbished, my boys were 13 and 10, and my daughter was 7. Of course the boys had to scare her every time we walked that path, telling her that an alligator was going to get her. We even saw a small one out in the pond several times. She STILL talks about that, at age 25!