Great Shades of Green stay!

[stitchrulz]

We were very pleased with our decision to stay at Shades of Green this trip! We were going to request the new section as high a floor as possible, and magically, that's what we had been assigned. We were in the very last room, 5th floor in the new section overlooking the golf course. It was quite lovely (although it was a bit of a hike at the end of the day). We could even see the Poly and the monorail from our balcony, so we didn't feel "removed" from Disney at all. Also, you can see the MK fireworks from the top level of the parking garage (5th floor isn't covered), which we did one night with a couple of other families. No music piped in, though. We could see the really high Illuminations fireworks from our room balcony as well.

The room itself was very nicely appointed and HUGE. It's just as "deluxe" as the Disney resorts, minus the flat screen tv's (IMHO). Housekeeping was great (yes, we left tips), and the staff members were quite friendly. No towel animals, but one day, someone tried to make a tissue flower on top of the box. Not quite the same, but . . . The only meal we ate there was the breakfast buffet which was fine for your typical hot breakfast fare. We took the Shady Shuttle to the Poly once which was nice, but unfortunately, they don't run it in the rain. We mostly hoofed it to/from the Poly to use the monorail/boats, but the few times we used the SOG bus to/from the TTC were just fine. We drove to AK and DTD and had no problems with parking -- just showed our SOG parking tag.

I'd definitely recommend SOG to anyone who is eligible to stay there. It's a great value, and you can't beat the location.

 

[Tonya2426]

So pleased to hear you enjoyed your SOG stay. We always seem to get a room at the end of the VERRRRRRRY long hallways also. At the end of a day in the parks it seems like you are walking a marathon. We always joke that they should provide a shuttle service to your rooms from the elevators.

 

[Sleepy]

Can you remember the adult and child prices for the breakfast buffet?

 

[TexasMomof2]

I'm so glad to hear your good review! We're going the first week in January and I was sad when I canceled our reservations at AKL but I just couldn't justify paying all that extra money when we were eligible to stay at SOG.

We have decided to rent a car - we have 2 small kids (3 and 5) and we'll be going back to the resort in the middle of the day for naps. Did you guys eat dinner at the Poly?

I was wondering where to request a room. Since I've never stayed here, the layout diagram is a little confusing to me. I guess we should try to be close to the parking garage but I definitely want a nice view to relax with a glass of wine on the balcony after kiddos fall asleep.

 

[stitchrulz]

Sleepy -- The adult breakfast buffet was $8.99 per person, and the child price was $4 something. This does not include drinks (I think it used to), so for two adults w/ coffee (they bring a carafe) it was @ $22.00. Don't forget to ask for water (they come around for refills often)! That sounds kind of high for SOG, but remember it's a buffet, so it's all you can eat. My DH more than got his money's worth. We like to eat a good breakfast, then push a late lunch/early dinner. They had just about everything you could want, including fresh fruit. If you like a lighter breakfast, there's that counter service place near the bus stop area where you can grab more a la carte stuff. Don't forget, there's a fridge in the room, if you wanted to "stock your own" as well. I know some folks buy milk, juice, etc., and have cereals and the like while getting ready. Just another option!

TexasMomof2 -- No, we didn't eat at the Poly this trip, but we usually do. We did have Mickey head ice cream bars at Captain Cooks, and had a couple of drinks by the pool bar . . . We love the O'hana character breakfast. We used to love the O'hana dinner, but the quality seemed to be slipping the last few years (IMHO). The Kona Cafe always gets very good reviews, though we haven't personally tried it.

As for the room location request, we LOVED our spot. The new section is beautiful! The old section still has the original decor which is nice but a bit dated (I think they are going to update it so it all matches) . I told my DH that comared to the new section, the old looked like the Haunted Mansion! (O.k., that was a stretch!) You know, it has the mauve/burgandy greenish decor that was really "in" for a time. However, if you're going to be spending a lot of time by the pools, you'd be much closer in the old section. Otherwise, I think I'd request the new section, especially for your first visit there.

Hope this helps!!!

 

[ntsammy5]

I was wondering where to request a room. Since I've never stayed here, the layout diagram is a little confusing to me. I guess we should try to be close to the parking garage but I definitely want a nice view to relax with a glass of wine on the balcony after kiddos fall asleep.

Yes, close to a garage entrance is good because there's only a short walk then. View is not as good though. I like to be near the pools, but.....

 

[Simba22]

we almost stayed here for this coming October trip but we weren't sure if my brother (who is in the USMC) would be back from his deployment in time so we booked CSR just to be safe. If we decide to go again next year and my brother will be joining us, we will definitely look into SoG! Thanks for posting!

 

[aj2hall]

Thanks for all of the info! We'll be staying there in Dec, so I'm happy to hear a good report.

 

[micmacmissy]

We're staying there in January for the first time, celebrating DH's return from a year in Iraq....yay!

I have a question: we have a family suite, and I'm wondering if anyone knows where these are located on property--old section, new section, are they scattered?

Also, stitchrulz, did you eat any dinners in the buffet restaurant? We got the SoG dining plan in (because it was $70 for the whole week for the whole family), and i'm curious about the dinners. I figure, we'll just use the breakfast and make ADRs for dinners, unless I hear the dinners at SOG are good (which usually, you don't hear that!)

thanks

 

[stitchrulz]

We're staying there in January for the first time, celebrating DH's return from a year in Iraq....yay!

I have a question: we have a family suite, and I'm wondering if anyone knows where these are located on property--old section, new section, are they scattered?

Also, stitchrulz, did you eat any dinners in the buffet restaurant? We got the SoG dining plan in (because it was $70 for the whole week for the whole family), and i'm curious about the dinners. I figure, we'll just use the breakfast and make ADRs for dinners, unless I hear the dinners at SOG are good (which usually, you don't hear that!)

thanks

First, thanks to your DH and your family for your sacrifices! A trip to WDW is a wonderful way to celebrate!

We didn't eat any dinners at the Garden Gallery (buffet), so I don't know firsthand. I don't rememeber reading any really "good" reviews about it, though. It's kind of hard to mess up breakfast food . . .

Hope you all have the magical time you so richly deserve!!!!

 

[Mrsjvb]

we didn't request any special rooms, but lucked out and got a first floor in the old section smack between the pools, so for us it was perfect..literally a 2 minute walk to our favorite hangout of Evergreens. couldn't have picked a better spot if we had asked!