Just back

[dizneycc]

Just returned at midnight from a whirl-wind tour. I'm working on a trip report, but wanted to give a few hilights, in case I can answer any questions for anyone leaving soon...

Weather was good. Upper 80's, but cloudy and windy, so that helped.

Stayed at SOG.

Did Flower & Garden Festival, Star Wars Weekend and La Nouba!

Flew Southwest (as always) and rented car from Dollar (as always), no problems with either.

Can't wait to get back again...

Any questions.......

CC

 

[Dalpal]

Were they're many pin trading stations around? I'm going soon and am planning on trading!!
Thanx! -DalPal's DGD

 

[dizneycc]

Not being a pin trader myself, I wasn't on the lookout for any stations. I don't recall seeing any. But I did see lots of trading going on with CM's and guest in all the parks. I remember last year when we stayed at the Contemporary, they had a big station set up on the fourth floor one night a week.

Sorry I couldn't help you much on this one! CC

 

[Dalpal]

It's alright! I'll B on the lookout though!
Thanx 4 tryin' DalPal's DGD

 

[danny1649]

Looking forward to your trip report.

 

[mansionfan]

Looking forward to your trip report!!

 

[kguenther]

How did you like SOG?
We are staying there in July....
Looking forward to your report.

 

[kbhehl]

Did you participate in any extra magic hours days? I know they were trying out some evening hours. Those are what I'm curious about, esp. in terms of crowds.
Thanks!

 

[ZerasPride]

I've got a couple of questions if you don't mind.

Where did you watch the WISHES fireworks? Did you ride Mission Space and if so, what did you think of it? How were the crowds?

Thank so much and I'm looking forward to your trip report. I can't believe my trip is less than 3 weeks away!!!!

 

[kimwim8]

I like to think of myself as knowing quite a bit about Disney, but my brain has shut down.

Where/what is SOG? I bet right after I hit "submit reply" I'll think of it!

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Shades of Green resort.

 

[dizneycc]

Originally posted by kguenther
How did you like SOG?
We are staying there in July....
Looking forward to your report.

Kim, I have to say, they still have lots of kinks to work out. The new lobby was really nice. Still has that new smell. Check in was smooth, but I certainly felt like I knew a whole lot more about Disney and Shades of Green than the person who checked me in.

Only requested housekeeping once. Everything was fine and she didn't even take the tip I left her. Strange.

Pools are the same. Never did get to Evergreens.

We stayed in the original section. Nothing different at all! Beds and pillows were very hard.

I used the bus to go to Epcot one morning. Bus was there waiting when I got down to the lobby. Bus takes you to TTC, then you need to take the monorail to Epcot. Runs every 15 minutes. Only waited about 10 minutes for bus to return that night after Illuminations. There was another bus that runs to AK, MGM and waterparks. I think that ran every 30 minutes. Sounds like it will be hard to get to DTD with their bus system. If I read the directions correctly, the bus will drop you off at either the Wyndham Plaza or Hilton, not directly to DTD. Probably better off transferring at TTC to a DTD bus.

Parking garage looks huge. I used valet everyday. Very easy. Called before I left the room and the car was waiting for me!

I can not understand why SOG has three full service restaurants and no food court. Seems absolutely crazy to me!

Everything you have read about the soap and shampoo are true. Bring your own!

Refrigerator was nice, but it couldn't hold a gallon of water. Had to use smaller bottles.

The ticket office is located in the old pro shop. Not very well marked. I had to ask two people before I found it, and neither of them said it is in the old pro shop. Leads me to believe they had no idea.

Did use the laundry one day. $1/washer, .75/dryer (45 minutes)

After saying all that, you can not beat the location or price!!! Once everything is up and running, I'm sure it will be even better than before.

Anything else I couldn't think of????

 

[dizneycc]

Originally posted by kbhehl
Did you participate in any extra magic hours days? I know they were trying out some evening hours. Those are what I'm curious about, esp. in terms of crowds.
Thanks!

No, I'm afraid I didn't get a chance to try them out. Although I did find out that Shades of Green is participating in the extra hour nights, too. At least that's what two people told me. I didn't actually check it out.

 

[dizneycc]

Originally posted by ZerasPride
I've got a couple of questions if you don't mind.

Where did you watch the WISHES fireworks? Did you ride Mission Space and if so, what did you think of it? How were the crowds?

Thank so much and I'm looking forward to your trip report. I can't believe my trip is less than 3 weeks away!!!!

Lisa, this trip I had to chose between Illuminations and Wishes. I chose Illuminations this time. However, we usually watch Wishes from right by the walkway to Tomorrowland. I have also seen it from the Contemporary and it was great too. Makes me think there probably really isn't a bad spot to watch it.

Mission Space. No, I am not that brave. I get motion sick.

There weren't any crowds in Epcot, but I went on a Thursday. Went to MK on Friday. Very crowded. MGM on Saturday. Not crowded, except around Star Tours. Only waited 20 minutes for RNR at 1pm on a Saturday.

 

[dizneycc]

Originally posted by kimwim8
I like to think of myself as knowing quite a bit about Disney, but my brain has shut down.

Where/what is SOG? I bet right after I hit "submit reply" I'll think of it!

Kim, I see someone has already answered your question, but I wanted to say Hi! I grew up in South Jersey! What a small world!