Leaving for SOG in 3 days--Need tips!!

[Brytsun]

I'm going into panic mode, leaving for our first trip to SOG in 3 days. I'd appreciate any hot tips you all may have regarding anything.

One main concern for me is transportation. We don't have a rental, big mistake???

Thanks!!!!

 

[Harligirl]

Hi

You are going to have a great time- the hotel is beautiful

Quick tips:

Transportation: The busses are alright- just leave plenty of extra time to where you are going. We walked over to the Poly and got the monorail all the time. There is a golf cart guy that will pick you up and take you to the end of the path. Only runs during daylight hours(I think) and don't count on him being there all the time.

Food: Buffet is pretty good depending on what night it is- Prime Rib and Country buffets were our favorites. The Express Cafe downstairs by the busses is really good for breakfast sandwiches. Never ate at Mangino's so can't tell you on that but heard it is good. Evergreen's was alright- each time we ate there, our food was only a bit warm (alright- it was cold) But the service was good and at that point we just wanted to eat- not worth complaining!

Staff: Had no problem with anyone. Housekeeping was good and express check out is wonderful!

Hotel: It can be pretty spread out. We stayed in the old section and requested a room lobby level (got the 3rd floor- no biggie) Some people like the new section because it is closer to the parking garage.

They have guest services where they will assist you in making priority seatings or confirming them. They are very helpful!

Have a great time!
Lisa

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

You'll love it. If you get a chance to eat at Mangino's, do it. The food was wonderful. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Evergreen's was also good.

Have a wonderful time..

Debbie

 

[MrsPete]

Assuming you plan to stay on Disney property, you don't need a rental. Save that money for souveniers and nice meals, and follow these tips:

It's easy to go from your resort to a park. It's more difficult to go from your resort to another resort; you'll have to switch transportation, and it will take you a while. Allow plenty of time if you're visiting another resort.

The one time that Disney transportation is tricky is on Early Entry mornings. In theory, they send extra busses to each resort. In reality, you should get out there plenty early.

Don't follow the crowds. Don't leave any park right after fireworks, for example. Instead, plan to leave just before the fireworks or stay or stay and play on the light-up sidewalks in Epcot while the herd crowds towards the exits.

I'm not sure exactly where SOG is, but I think it's convenient to the Ticket and Transportation Center. Is it walking distance? If so, it's easy to walk over there, and you have an instant ride to . . . well, everywhere! Is SOG walking distance to the Contemporary? If so, walk over and hop on the monorail.

Keep your party together. I remember one annoying woman at Wilderness Lodge last summer who became enraged at bus drivers who wouldn't hold the bus for family members who were no where in sight. Once she even yelled at the whole bus because no one would get off to allow her large family to get on! She's the only unpleasant person I remember from all my experiences with Disney transportation, and she was quite a hoot! In fact, I saw her causing trouble at the WL pool too.

If you become annoyed waiting for a bus, just remember that driving your own car would have its share of complications too: Disney is so big that it's very easy to get turned around and lost. Then you'd have to park quite some distance from the entry to the park -- don't underestimate the size of these parking lots. Even though as a Disney resort guest you'll receive free parking, you'll still have to go through the kiosks and show your parking tag -- that'll take time since many of the cars ahead of you will be paying. Finally, at the end of the day (after trudging through the parking lot in search of your rental), you have to get into a hot car. No thanks. I can wait five minutes for the next bus, boat, or monorail!

 

[HollyJoy]

We found SOG very nice! Very quite, and so happy that we didn't have to ride the Disney buses.. the SOG buses were always on time, and never crowded!

 

[lookingforward]

I have stayed in both the old and new sections of SOG. My advice, if you want more room ask for the old section. Since you won't have a car its not that important to be near the parking garage. The "old" rooms are much roomier in my opinion. They have a small partition and a table with four chairs. That is nice for eating in room, etc. The newer room has a small table with two chairs and less floor space. Either way you go you will LOVE the SOG. It is really nice, has an uncrowded, country lodge kind of feel.

 

[Brytsun]

THANK YOU!!! Your tips have helped enormously. OK, I'll calm down about the rental. Sounds like transportation is covered on site

And yes, we need more room so the "old" rooms are the way to go....now are the old rooms really old? And since we don't need to be near the garage but would like to be near the bus, which section or area is best if you have young children?

 

[Tigge50447]

Here are some pics I took while there last week.

And the view outside our Room

We had a room in the new section.

Here is the tree in the lobby

Oh I do have to say that the rooms are really nice however the shower makes this funny noise when everyone in the new section takes a shower at the same time it's like a pounding noise, they said they are aware of it and are trying to fix it. The pressure and temp are fine just a strange noise. All in all I thought it was a GREAT place to stay.

I too was worried about transportation, we had a rental as well. However the busses from SOG are great. If you can get to the transportation center which is a few mins from SOG you can get anyplace. I took my 1st boat ride to Fort Wilderness to the Trails end. I was a little nervous since it was new but we made it and the boat ride was nice, we took a bus back to the ticket center then waited at the SOG bus stop. It was easy. I do think the bus drivers drive a bit crazy.

The garden Gallery's breakfast buffet was nice I think it was $7 I had that and just got a few things for my son. I think the most he ate was like 3 sausages and a slice of toast and some small donuts. So $7 for the both of us was good. I did think it was odd they don't have bagels at the buffet but you could order one off the menu for like $1.99.

Oh one more thing am I the only one who thought the pillows are odd. I mean they mushed up to nothing. We must have had 4 extra pillows sent up to our room.

A funny little story. I was sitting out side on the balcony one afternoon while my new fiance, Yippeee... and son where taking a nap and I could hear this man whistling disney tunes. It was fun to guess what he was whistling. I couldn't see him just hear him. He was good, lol.

 

[Brytsun]

Tigge50447 ~ which room were you in? It looks beautiful. I'm very excited!!!

 

[aec]

Oh one more thing am I the only one who thought the pillows are odd. I mean they mushed up to nothing. We must have had 4 extra pillows sent up to our room.

Thanks for the warning, I may have to pack my own pillow!

Thanks for the pictures too. It looks beautiful!