Just made ressies for SOG, now ?????

[Chim Chiminy]

For anyone who has ever stayed at the resort. I know they are undergoing remodeling, but how is the pool? Silly, I know, but we spend a good deal of time at the pool and I was wondering if there is a theme, or a slide?
What are the rooms like? I have never been able to find pictures of the rooms there.
We are booked for three rooms next July 3-10.
Now if only December would hurry up, so I could book our stay at Old Key West!

 

[dcfromva]

Chim Chiminy,
Since they doing a complete remodel, I am thinking they are probably re-doing the pools as well. They have been shut for over a year now in the remodeling process.

What they had before they were shut was this beautifully landscaped area in the center of the resort with a Mickey Mouse shaped pool (I believe the ears were the shallowest part of the pool). They also had a little play gym in that area. It was a very lovely place to hang out.

Then, up front, there was another pool that was closer to the golf pro area. It used to have a fountain in it--which was pretty neat. (Even though they shut the fountain part off, I always call it the Fountain Pool ). I think they were trying to turn this pool into a quiet pool.

Anyway, when they reopen--maybe they will have expanded the pools and added some slides, too!

-DC

 

[mog]

To answer your questions about the rooms, they are fairly large as hotel rooms go. There are 2 queen beds and then a little "sitting room" area that is separated from the rest of the room by a small half-wall. The sofa in the sitting room area is a sleeper sofa so the rooms comfortably sleep 5. We have stayed there a couple times and we have 5 in our family and had plenty of room. I don't remember the bathroom exactly, but I think the sink area was outside of the toilet/shower room which makes it even easier for more people to be getting ready all at once.
Hope this helps!

 

[madelyn]

Here's a link to a website with Shades of Green photos:

http://www.wdwig.com/g_sog.htm

We stayed in the suite (only one back then) and two connecting regular rooms in Jan of 2000. Somewhere there was a site that had photos of the suite but I can't remember where. I'm assuming that the new Shades of Green rooms will be of similar size and decor. Enjoy your trip!

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by dcfromva
Chim Chiminy,
Since they doing a complete remodel, I am thinking they are probably re-doing the pools as well. They have been shut for over a year now in the remodeling process.

What they had before they were shut was this beautifully landscaped area in the center of the resort with a Mickey Mouse shaped pool (I believe the ears were the shallowest part of the pool). They also had a little play gym in that area. It was a very lovely place to hang out.

Then, up front, there was another pool that was closer to the golf pro area. It used to have a fountain in it--which was pretty neat. (Even though they shut the fountain part off, I always call it the Fountain Pool ). I think they were trying to turn this pool into a quiet pool.

Anyway, when they reopen--maybe they will have expanded the pools and added some slides, too!

-DC

I wouldn't count on it. When I was there, there were no plans to do any thing to the pools, nor to add an additional pools even though the additional rooms would add a couple of thousand people to the hotel (maxing out occupancy). Considering how long it's taking just getting the buildings done, I don't believe they'll be doing any thing to the pools.

 

[Maddle]

I was told the same thing as FirstNo - that the pools would remain the same. I was also told that all of the rooms in the original section would be refurbished, so that the whole hotel is "new," - no need to worry about room assignment as far as that is concerned.

Best wishes for a wonderful stay.

Maddle

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Thank you for posting the link to Deb's pics. I must have overlooked it when I was on her site.
The rooms look very big, but also remind me somewhat of a Days Inn we stayed at once overnight in Tennessee. It doesn't really look like a deluxe resort to me. But I guess they go by location and size of rooms.
Closer to our vacation dates I may check to see if AP rates are available for moderates and deluxe.
Thank you everyone for your descriptions and your help.

 

[madelyn]

You're very welcome. The rooms are large. Since we stayed in the suite and 2 additional rooms, we had plenty of space, although there were 11 of us! The furniture was nicer quality than a Day's Inn type establishment, but when we were there some of the bedspreads looked a little worn. Housekeeping was good but SOG lacks the theming of Deluxe Resorts. Mickey/Disney toiletries and themed pool were missing as well as the activities offered at Deluxe resorts. The restaurants weren't that great although we only tried the Sports Bar and the breakfast buffet. But considering the price you pay is what a moderate or even a value resort would cost, I was very pleased with our stay at SOG and would gladly stay again. Oh...keep in mind that SOG was a Deluxe Resort before the armed forces took over but that was about 10 years ago. So when we were there I would imagine it was time for many of the furnishings to be replaced.

 

[Maddle]

You could inquire about the SOG overflow rates for your time period - you could perhaps lock down your reservation now.

On the other hand - Keep in mind that the whole place will be "new" so I don't think you will have to worry about disappointment at SOG.

 

[Otto's Doll]

We were at SOG for a "taste testing luncheon" on September 3 of this year. They advertised it in the SOG office at the CR. It was $7 per person, and they had lots of food choices, and you could have as much as you liked. The desserts were wonderful! All they ask is that you answer a few questions at the end. They even provided transportation from the CR. They said they hold them 2x a month.

To answer your Pool question, when we asked we were told they have no plans to renovate the pools.

We hope to go there in June 04, as we have never stayed there.

Otto's Doll

 

[Maddle]

....and where did they transport you to? Was it the renovated/remodeled/expanded building? Is it beautiful? Did you get a peak?

Were the foods offerings from tne new restaurants? Can you give us any more information?

Maddle

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

I'd like some more information too. Did you go to SOG? We have reservations for April 2004 and I have my fingers crossed that it will open. I went many times before the renovation and can't wait to see it now.

Thanks,

Debbie

 

[Otto's Doll]

Sorry I wasn't more specific

They picked us up in front of the North Garden Wing entrance, and took us to the SOG. I haven't been before, but it was the bar. I don't know if it has been changed, but it had a ping pong table and a man on the ceiling (upside down) and it was dark wood. There was a patio/porch off of it leading to the pool area. Hope that helps. It was very nice.

The foods were items (the vendors were the ones there serving it) that they are considering for the new restaurants. There were 3 or 4 types of chicken fingers with dipping sauces, breaded chicken tenders, quesadillias, (2 kinds) pork loin, some type of pork roast, and a TON of different desserts. (my fav was the raspberry white chocolate cheesecake, but they had some KILLER chocolate cakes too.)

They served lemonade to drink. There were about 15 other people there, and some had kids with them, as we did. After we ate, an employee from SOG came over and asked us 5 or 6 questions about what we tried, what we liked or didn't like and why. Quick and easy.


You could have as much as you liked, it was $7 per person .(Where else in WDW can you eat all you want, of good food, for that price?? Including desserts and a drink. Very good deal!)

They say they hold them 2 x a month. We happened to be in the SOG ticket office/store in the CR on the 3rd floor (our room was at the Parking lot end of that wing, 7363) on Tuesday the 2nd and saw a very small sign for it near the check out. We asked about it, and they signed us up right there.

I have a question for all of you now:
If you stay at the SOG, can you charge to your room like you can at the other WDW resorts? It won't change our decision to stay there, but we were wondering about that. Also, where do you get the bus?

Another thing! They are renovating the front area where you drive up, and are putting in a waterfall type display. And each level of rooms will have their own parking garage levels as well.

Have a wonderful day, and let me know if there are any questions I could answer...

Otto's Doll

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

Otto's Doll,

Thanks for the info. Could you see if they have started the construction on the front of the building or the parking garage? Were you able to get a peak at the new buildings? Did the SOG people say anything about the opening date?

Thanks again, your input is greatly appreciated.


Debbie

 

[Maddle]

Thanks for the info - does it look like they will ever ever finish?...seems like we've been waiting sooo long for the "New" Shades of Green.

Now a real question - is this something a person could sign up for in advance? was it held on certain specific days each month? We will be visiting in January (bumped over to CR because of the delayed opening) and this might be a nice treat for some of us. As you said, where else can you eat all you want for $7?

Thanks -
Maddle

 

[dcfromva]

We took a little peek at the construction at SOG when we were there in July-- Here are a couple of pics:

picture as you drive in..

This must be the parking structure.

have a question for all of you now:
If you stay at the SOG, can you charge to your room like you can at the other WDW resorts? It won't change our decision to stay there, but we were wondering about that. Also, where do you get the bus?
:

Otto's Doll,
I don't know if this will be different when they open, but the only room charge privledges were just at SOG. The bus stop used to be right in front- the entrance nearest the front desk.

-DC

 

[Otto's Doll]

Thanks, DC.

Otto's Doll

 

[tessa67]

If anyone is trying to get reservations at the SOG temp hotel (Contemporary) be sure to put your name on the waiting list. I made reservations for us at Port Orleans with the military discount but kept calling SOG to see if there had been a cancelation for our time period. After several calls one gal finally mentioned they have a waiting list that they can put me on then call me if there is an opening. Got back from out of town yesterday and there was a message that all three nights we wanted have opened up. I have enough time to cancel our PO reservation with no penalty and take the SOG one, saves us about $100 for three nights.