Just Back from SoG........

[*Flower*]

Well, we just got back a few hours ago from our first post-renovation trip to SoG.

Of course we were assigned a room in the original part of the hotel..... so instead of using the brand spankin' new parking garage- we parked in our usual spot.

The new lobby is lovely, and the waterfalls are a wonderful accent to the hotel..... but I felt a bit let down nonetheless.

I used to have the feeling that we were coming 'home' whenever we arrived at Shades. Now there is a 'colder' attitude from the employees- impersonal really. Not that they're rude, but they just seem to be 'processing' the customers (if you know what I mean).

It's still a good deal to stay there (for us), but it's no longer 'home' anymore.
It's now just another hotel........

 

[dizneycc]

Thanks for the info. I see you are going back again real soon!

I am going to be arriving alone at night and was planning on using valet. Did they still offer free valet? Was the parking garage only good for the new building? Where do you park for the old section? I remember before the renovations, we would always park to the right of the golf store.

Did you use the bus service? Has house keeping improved any over the last few weeks?

Thanks!

 

[*Flower*]

If you remember where the putting green and the parking lot on the other side of the pre-renovated SoG was- that's where the parking garage is now. It's really convenient to the new wing, and a farther walk from the old wing. We use the lot on the right.

We didn't use the bus service- if we'd wanted to not use our car, we'd have walked over to the Poly and caught the monorail.

We didn't have any problems with the housekeeping- and the fridge in the room was a help!! "Guest Services" left a lot to be desired- I knew more than they did. The Garden Gallery is open again, Evergreen's seems to be back to their usual menu- and the new Italian restaurant STILL isn't open yet. The building isn't finished, and landscaping is still ongoing.

Valet is something we don't use....... but even arriving late shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Alice28]

I just have to share....I have been very disappointed to read all of the either poor or so-so reviews of Shades since it re-opened. A Disney friend of mine, whom I met on the internet and whom I am meeting at WDW in Oct., works at the Pentagon as a secretary to a 3 star general who HAPPENS to inspect Shades from time to time to make sure it's up to snuff. Well, she has been copying and pasting poor reviews from the Passporter boards, and I have been doing the same here. She already presented some reviews for him earlier and he was very dismayed; we have another stack ready to go and he personally is going to check it out soon. Who knows if it will get anything accomplished, but it's kind of funny knowing someone who works with the big-wigs. She and I emailed our requests for a room at Shades (I'm sharing a room with my mom, her with her friend) two weeks ago and have heard nothing. In the past we would get a response in no less than 3 days. I think they are having some serious management or staffing problems as this is very unusual. Today I made a ressie at POFQ cause I was getting nervous that Shades wouldn't get back to us in time to even try and get an overflow rate.

I'll keep y'all posted on what she tells me.

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by Alice28
I just have to share....I have been very disappointed to read all of the either poor or so-so reviews of Shades since it re-opened. A Disney friend of mine, whom I met on the internet and whom I am meeting at WDW in Oct., works at the Pentagon as a secretary to a 3 star general who HAPPENS to inspect Shades from time to time to make sure it's up to snuff. Well, she has been copying and pasting poor reviews from the Passporter boards, and I have been doing the same here. She already presented some reviews for him earlier and he was very dismayed; we have another stack ready to go and he personally is going to check it out soon. Who knows if it will get anything accomplished, but it's kind of funny knowing someone who works with the big-wigs. She and I emailed our requests for a room at Shades (I'm sharing a room with my mom, her with her friend) two weeks ago and have heard nothing. In the past we would get a response in no less than 3 days. I think they are having some serious management or staffing problems as this is very unusual. Today I made a ressie at POFQ cause I was getting nervous that Shades wouldn't get back to us in time to even try and get an overflow rate.

I'll keep y'all posted on what she tells me.

As a former employee and someone who has complained about their management abilities, or lack thereof, I'd be very curious as to what will happen. I'd be happy to pass along what I know and saw while I was there. I can only tell them from the reservations point of view. I don't know much about the other divisions or problems they may have had.

 

[TinkKel]

Did they happen to have an "Opening Soon" sign at the new Italian restaurant that gave a date it would be opened?

 

[airplane]

Was anything different about the pool area? I was hoping they would add a slide. Also, I was reading the description of what the hotel has to offer and I saw a place called Eagles Lounge. I have never seen it before. Is it new?

How were the buses? Did they add more? Were they running on time?

I will be there in 7 days.

 

[suevee]

Alice28

If you can ask your friend (or bring to the general's attention) why did SoG decided not to participate in the Magic Evening Hour offered in May. I was told it was SoG decision not to participate, not Disney. Swan, Dolphin, and Hilton all participated. SoG does participate in the Early Morning Hour. Thanks

 

[simonmunro]

Are there any pictures of the rooms in the new section? Would love to see what they look like.

 

[Alice28]

suevee,

I certainly will ask her to ask or put a memo with our stack of posts re SOG, about SOG's decision not to participate in the after hours perks. I am bummed about that too.

 

[Skatermom23]

I have reservations for SOG in December. It will be our first time there. I am stressing over this and wondering if I should make them elsewhere. I love my deluxe resorts and this will be my 40th birthday celebration. The only reason I decided to stay SOG was due to the new renovations. We have stayed at the Hale Koa in Hawaii and just loved it...there was no military feel to the place and the people were wonderful. It is Hawaii, afterall!

So, any thoughts?

 

[Betsyt82]

Skatermom23,

I would not stress over SoG. People seem to forget that it is a new situation for many of those who are now behind the desk. As for the family feel......that is a perception. And the new people may not be as knowledge able as most of us who are Disney freaks. They kinks are going to be ironed out over time. Remember that just because a few have had issues or expectations that were not meet.........does not mean people should bail on a reservation. What I have for an expierence may be more than acceptable but for another not acceptable.

I look forward to going to SoG in October and have no expectations just to have fun. I will expect to get a pina colada at the Outer Rim at the CR, Ohanas for dinner the first night, and the need for Tonga Toast.......other than that it is all gravey

 

[Skatermom23]

Betsyt82,

You are so right! They probably are new to all this and still learning. By the time I get there in December it should be a piece of cake for them. This will be my third trip to the world but the first time it is for "me." I am stressing over every little detail....must be the turing 40 issue....

 

[*Flower*]

I hope that I didn't upset anyone with my observations........

We've been there pretty often, and we were kind of expecting the previous staff to return (they were excellent!). Unfortunately- the employers decided to hire people through different outlets than expected.

I didn't say that I'd be no longer staying there. I have confidence that the new employees will gain experience as time goes by. And maybe the staff will evolve into a team.

I'm just saying that right now, over a month after re-opening; I ran into a couple of situations that were handled with a lack of concern.

Sorry.......

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by TinkKel
Did they happen to have an "Opening Soon" sign at the new Italian restaurant that gave a date it would be opened?

We arrive Friday. When I last spoke to them 2 or 3 weeks ago, they were saying it was to open May 1st....but that as always, that is subject to change. Hopefully we'll be able to try it before we leave on the 7th!! And will let you know how it is if we do

RE: the pool
I'd heard there will be no changes to the pool/pool area. Deb's site has pics of the pool area post renovation and there is no slide in any of the pics. Sorry

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by suevee
Alice28

If you can ask your friend (or bring to the general's attention) why did SoG decided not to participate in the Magic Evening Hour offered in May. I was told it was SoG decision not to participate, not Disney. Swan, Dolphin, and Hilton all participated. SoG does participate in the Early Morning Hour. Thanks

I called Disney and Shades of Green about this. They both said it was a SOG decision. I believe it was another poster (FirstNo?) who said that these types of perks usually come at a cost for the non-Disney resorts to participate, so it appears SOG decided not to pay for the privilege. SOG Guest Relations staff had no reasoning for the decision and suggested I write a letter to the General Manager noting my concerns/displeasure with the decision and my desire for them to participate in the program. Please add one from you! Hopefully they'll see we really do want this benefit and will decide to participate after all!!

Write to "Dear Sir" at

Shades of Green
PO Box 22789
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-2789

As for me, I'm still hoping to see some pics of the new section! None of those on Deb's site yet, either!!

 

[1DisneyFan]

I have heard that the new shopette is still pretty small. Is it any bigger than the one before they began renovations? We will be arriving there the first part of June. Thanks!

 

[TinkKel]

Thanks for the info Kadaten, I hope the restaurant truely opens on May 1, and look forward to your reviews. Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[purple84]

I am wondering if any of you know why the Length of Stay Pass does not include the day of check-in and check-out. It looks like an Ultimate Park Hopper ticket gives you the ability to use it on the day of check-in/check-out. The reservation person on the phone at Shades of Green gave me the info about the Length of Stay Pass.

 

[Betsyt82]

When I asked I was told that SoG considers that other days to be travel days and that most people do not want to waste money on something they feel they don't get to take full advantage of..... I am getting the hopper passes because we are getting WDW at 11 in the morning and we can still do lots of stuff in the parks.