How many military members out there?

[mrsdon]

We were active Navy when we bought.
We loved OKW(DVC) as it was known way back then.
while SOG is inexoensive, to us it jsut felt like a Navy lodge. It was typical military furniture,(YUCKY)
Thats just our opion,
We do like havin bigger rooms also.

 

[skorpie]

DH is about to retire in April after 27 yrs in the military. We are currently outprocessing. We are currently stationed at USMA, West Point. DH indulged me for our 25th Anniversary and bought me points at VWL because he liked the resort "feel" and I was just thrilled to be a DVC owner. We later bought into BCV as well. When we vacation at WDW, he will often just sit around the villas and read to unwind, he doesn't care much for the crowds. This July will be his first trip to the BCV. We've stayed a number of times at SOG but since I needed to go to WDW regularly, DVC was the only way to go!

 

[BWVDee]

We are a recent military family. DS is currently completing his basic training in the Army. He does not own DVC, I do, but he has been going to WDW since he was a baby and still enjoys it. Due to DS's course of training he will be stationed in either SC or GA for the next year. We are definitly planning on DVC trips to HH, when he gets leave.
We have stayed at the Disney Inn pre SOG. We liked the resort very much--nice sized rooms, but we much prefer the DVC resorts. They are bigger, more luxurious and the majority of DVC resorts are located in a much more convenient location for easy access to parks, dining, shopping etc., then SOG is.

 

[Mom B]

Well...our DS (19) is just on his way to Air Force basic training at Lackland (San Antonio, TX) today...he left voice mail tonight saying that he'd made it as far as Chicago (from Minneapolis) and according to the schedule he should be arriving any moment. That may make us the newest military family on the DIS at this point. He's planning at this point to make it a career, so I hope we get some chances to have him join us at WDW as time goes on. For now, it seems like a really long time until his first leave!

 

[Don & June]

Active Duty Coast Guard here - 18+ years - come on retirement. We have never stayed at SOG but have used them to book at onsite WDW resorts in the past - prior to DVC purchase.

With what we spent on the hotel room - for a little more we could have basically a mini apartment - so thats why we got into DVC.

Son left today for Ft. Jackson SC - army boot camp, and daughter leaves in July for the same

Durrently detailed over to the DHS Operations Center in DC

 

[Don & June]

As a side note - has anyone heard if Disney will come out with some type of Military discounts / specials like they had last year?

That helped save us a lot of money on ticket prices.

 

[lacool]

Originally posted by Don & June
As a side note - has anyone heard if Disney will come out with some type of Military discounts / specials like they had last year?

I don't believe so, as those specials were war related.

I've been wondering if SoG offers discounted Annual Passes. Anyone know?

 

[Sam60]

Yes they do. It is worth stopping by the Made in the Shade shop even if you aren't staying at SOG.

 

[mckryan]

Originally posted by lacool
I don't believe so, as those specials were war related.

I've been wondering if SoG offers discounted Annual Passes. Anyone know?

They do offer discounts on AP and all other passes. You can look at the current prices by going to www.shadesofgreen.org and clicking on Attraction Ticket Prices. The AP is on the second or third page.

 

[Pa@okw95]

A word here about SOG. My family and I used to stay there all the time when it was The Disney Inn, it was a delux resort at the time. It was also know as the golf resort to some. It had the largest rooms at WDW, still does from what I understand. It was the only delux that was not on the mono-rail line. It was beautiful when it was the Disney Inn. I would suggest that any military personnel stay at SOG and see how it is before thinking of buying into DVC. Buy the way when I stayed there we paid about the same per night as the other delux resorts. You are getting a real good deal in price by staying there. You have delux size rooms.

 

[mckryan]

Originally posted by Don & June
As a side note - has anyone heard if Disney will come out with some type of Military discounts / specials like they had last year?

That helped save us a lot of money on ticket prices.

We took advantage of this, too, when my husband got back from the middle east last summer. It's unfortunate that they have not continued this because there were many people over there that were not able to take advantage of the offer, and there are many currently over there, too, that would enjoy it when they get home. I think Disney should keep doing this, but you have to provide a copy of your orders showing that you were deployed during the time they offered the free/discounted tickets.

 

[skoi]

I don't know if we count as military-- dh is in the Naval Reserve. He's preparing to be activated sometime fall when the people from his unit who are deployed now rotate home. Hopefully after our late-October vacation, but if not--

We own at BCV, and have never been to SOG, feeling sort of like we shouldn't hog up the limited space there, maybe preventing an active duty family from getting a room.

Our ds who's 5 used to want to be a Marine pilot until we cruised on the Magic-- now he says he's going Navy so he can have a water slide, fancy dinners, etc when he's at sea. We even took him on a real Navy ship so he could see the difference-- but he was insisting they didn't show us the "good stuff" so too many people wouldn't sign up. Boy, will he be surprised.

Thanks to all who serve.

Julie

 

[Esmerelda]

I am the proud daughter of a wonderful father who was in the Army for many years and served in the Korean War.

My now sweetheart..soon to be husband...lover of Disney!....was a Marine!!

I am so proud of anyone that serves! You guys totally rock and I have utmost respect for you. There is nothing that makes me any prouder than to fly my flag....its great to be an American.


Esmerelda!

 

[CWO4DVC]

Lots of military out there. I stayed at the SOG about 4 years ago. Wonderful deluxe hotel close to MK but....that is what it is, a deluxe resort and not a Disney Resort.. SOG is not comparable to DVC resort. SOG was primarily opened for active duty personnel to go and relax with family. It has expanded to government employees and retirees since inception. Since the majority of our military are below 22 years of age, it fits their budget and again that is who it is primarily for. As you progress in rank, the price increases for the use of the facilityas indicated here:

Categories
1. E-1 through E-5 $72.00* $82.00*
2. E-6 through E-9, O-1 through O-3, WO-1 to CW-3, GS-1 through GS-10, NF-1 through NF-3, Widows, Medal of Honor Recipients, and 100% Disabled Veterans $97.00 $107.00
3. O-4 through O-6, CW-4 and CW-5, GS-11 through GS-15, and NF-4 and NF-5 $104.00 $114.00
4. O-7 through O-10, Active Duty Foreign Military**, Retired DoD Civilians, and NF-6 $109.00 $119.00
5. Junior Family Suite - All Ranks/Grades (sleeps 6) $200.00
6. Family Suite - All Ranks/Grades (sleeps 8) $225.00

* E-1 through E-5 Sponsor and dependents will receive the rate that applies to category 1 ($70/$80 per night). Any additional sponsored rooms will receive the rate that applies to category 2 ($95/$105 per night).

** Foreign military assigned to a U.S. military installation only.

Please Note: All room rates are subject to change without notice. Above rates are based on two adults occupying a room. Add $15.00 per additional adult, 18 years or older

I now prefer the pampering and world class facilities offered by DVC.

 

[GoofysGr8]

Joined in Dec '91 when dh was active duty, he retired in '96. Choice was not difficult at all....buy a car or lock in vacation costs. We still drive the '81 and '86 cars (well, kids cars now)--finally dh has lots of time to keep the old cars running. DH was USAF UH-1H, B-52H and B-1B. Happy to have him home, we pray for safety of all those away from home and wish their families strength while they are away.
SOG? Never stayed there, but we purchase attraction tix there.
Your Pal,
Goof

 

[Battleship Bob]

Ex-Navy here. 6 years active duty in the 80's. Left in '88 a BM2(SW).

31 months overseas duty on USS Hunley, a sub tender at Holy Loch, Scotland (Great crew but the ship itself sucked! Too many bubbleheads in charge!).

3 years onboard the finest ship this country has ever and will ever produce....USS Iowa. Very proud to be able to say I was one of the last "Battleship Sailors".

Bob

 

[lacool]

Originally posted by mckryan
They do offer discounts on AP and all other passes. You can look at the current prices by going to www.shadesofgreen.org and clicking on Attraction Ticket Prices. The AP is on the second or third page.

Thanks so much for the link. I never realized that there was more than one page to the spreadsheet! Woo-hoo!

 

[Kewz1]

Another active duty military and DVC family here. We're currently stationed in AL. This is the closest we've lived to WDW (and HHI). We love our "Disney house!!"


Julie (skoi) -- our ds is 8 and wants to be a helicopter pilot like his dad. He got to fly in a simulator this past week and I think he's still "flying!"

Kristen

 

[happydisfamilyof4]

Count us in as well. DH is active duty Air Force, working on his 14th year. I was also active duty Air Force for 7 years, but am out now.

We love Disney, it is our family’s special place and we make a point of taking the kids every year. With moving every few years, leaving behind friends, having to spend most of DH’s leave time visiting family that we rarely get to see and never knowing if DH will be home or gone at any given time we think it is important to give the kids, as well as ourselves, a special place just for us. The kids may not remember every place we lived or every friend they had, but they will remember that every year we set aside a week or two to relax have fun and enjoy our “home.”

Prior to joining DVC we tried to stay at SOG, but were never able to get a reservation there at the resort. We did however take advantage of the great overflow rates to stay at CB and POR.

 

[wildcatwmn]

Skorpie, DBF is retiring after 27 yrs. He currently lives in NY and has taught at USMA (still goes there for med and services). He has never been to Disney (and previously frowned at the idea), and we are just joining DVC. He is the same way, doesn't like crowds, but liked the idea that we can travel to different places with the points.