Looking for someone using the Military discount this summer at a disney resort

[goofynut41]

I booked in October. I used a Disney Travel Agent and she was able to get me exactly what we wanted.

I have never stayed at SoG. My husband doesn't want to be in that environment on vacation. It would be too much like being on a base and he would feel pressured to keep up a certain appearance. If we don't stay at a Disney Resort, we stay at the Swan or Dolphin.

SOG is nothing like being on base its very nice and rooms are large. nice pools too.

 

[Momtwofour]

We have never had any problems getting to the parks before rope drop, WE like to be in line FIRST if possible..lol

Lol well I like to but can’t say that some of my family members do!
Is it as convenient as the Disney buses? We are looking at going in July so afternoon swim breaks will be a must!!! When I looked at SOG several years ago I think I remember reading you can walk to a neighboring resort and catch the bus too? But I am thinking they have increased their buses in the past few years? Last summer I remember seeing more SOG buses than I ever had

 

[goofynut41]

Lol well I like to but can’t say that some of my family members do!
Is it as convenient as the Disney buses? We are looking at going in July so afternoon swim breaks will be a must!!! When I looked at SOG several years ago I think I remember reading you can walk to a neighboring resort and catch the bus too? But I am thinking they have increased their buses in the past few years? Last summer I remember seeing more SOG buses than I ever had

Yes you can walk to the Poly or get a ride on the (Shady Shuttle) which is a golf cart, one of the staff will cart you to the intersection and its just a short walk to the monorail. I think the buses are really good I cant remember a time we had to wait too long. We always hit the parks early and head back to the resort around noon or 1:00 and take a swim break and then head back to the parks in the evening for supper and fireworks and whatever.

 

[DLgal]

SOG is nothing like being on base its very nice and rooms are large. nice pools too.

It's the fact that the other GUESTS are predominantly military as well as the fact that the employees are all federal government workers. My husband is an active duty officer and he feels pressure to maintain "the look" when he is representing the Marine Corps in a government run facility (which Shades is). He would feel like he needs a fresh haircut, clean shave, tucked in shirt, belts worn, close toed shoes (no flip flops, etc). Maybe it's a Marine thing, but after 19 years in, it's pretty ingrained and not something he can just let go of. He simply has no desire to have to show his military ID to get onto the hotel property on vacation. Takes away that feeling of "getting away from work."

We have never lived on base for the same reason. He needs his personal life to be completely separated from his work life.

 

[Trish0025]

Shades of Green books up very quickly!

 

[lizhall]

We love SOG and are staying there again next week. We tend to alternate between sog and Beach Club. The price is just hard to beat at SOG! We love the convenience to the monorail at Poly, and I actually like the bus system. It is a limited schedule (like the AK bus always leaves SOG at 1/2 past the hour, and leaves AK at 50 past the hour. So it might only be once an hour, but you know exactly when to be at the stop and can plan accordingly. I much prefer that to waiting forever or just missing a bus. We have walked over to the poly to catch their bus to HS or AK if we want to get to the park earlier or didn't make it for the bus. They have nice pools with a slide and splash pad for little kids, as well as a quiet pool, and we really enjoy the food there-the bar near the big pool has great sandwiches/burgers/frozen drinks so that is often our afternoon hangout! and the breakfast buffet is one of the best at Disney and a fraction of the price-my family of five eats for about $60. It is quiet and a nice environment, I don't find it at all stuffy or military-like. It might not be over-the-top Disney and no disney decorations, etc, but it might definitely be worth checking out!

 

[disneyvoice]

My husband doesn't want to be in that environment on vacation. It would be too much like being on a base and he would feel pressured to keep up a certain appearance.

It didn't feel at all like being on base when we stayed at SOG. In fact, it didn't feel any different to us than any WDW resort we have stayed at. The only difference I noted was that I never noticed any poorly behaved children and everyone seemed very polite and respectful - but we never felt pressured to keep up a certain appearance. You honestly couldn't tell who was military and who wasn't.

 

[Momtwofour]

We love SOG and are staying there again next week. We tend to alternate between sog and Beach Club. The price is just hard to beat at SOG! We love the convenience to the monorail at Poly, and I actually like the bus system. It is a limited schedule (like the AK bus always leaves SOG at 1/2 past the hour, and leaves AK at 50 past the hour. So it might only be once an hour, but you know exactly when to be at the stop and can plan accordingly. I much prefer that to waiting forever or just missing a bus. We have walked over to the poly to catch their bus to HS or AK if we want to get to the park earlier or didn't make it for the bus. They have nice pools with a slide and splash pad for little kids, as well as a quiet pool, and we really enjoy the food there-the bar near the big pool has great sandwiches/burgers/frozen drinks so that is often our afternoon hangout! and the breakfast buffet is one of the best at Disney and a fraction of the price-my family of five eats for about $60. It is quiet and a nice environment, I don't find it at all stuffy or military-like. It might not be over-the-top Disney and no disney decorations, etc, but it might definitely be worth checking out!

We are seriously considering it! I have read a lot of reviews and checked out pictures. I am very impressed.
Do you need to do anything before hand to prove eligibility? We always purchase our tickets from them so I was curious if there was a process for making a reservation??

 

[princesspiglet]

We are using the military rate over Thanksgiving week at CSR. Got 35% off the room rate. I booked in January.

 

[Capang]

Which resorts are you staying at? Just curious. I was really hoping to stay at Wilderness in the Boulder villas. With so many littles it’s nice to have a 1 bdrm for napping purposes

I’d not count on BRV or WL being available for discounts. I don’t recall any DVC being part of the discount in the past and WL now has very limited rooms since half the hotel rooms became CC.

 

[Momtwofour]

I’d not count on BRV or WL being available for discounts. I don’t recall any DVC being part of the discount in the past and WL now has very limited rooms since half the hotel rooms became CC.

We were booked at BRV last June w military discount and changed to AKL-Jambo so I know it has been in the past. We have also used it at SSR. We will try and see and if not go with plan B. I really don’t care as long as we are there lol

 

[Momtwofour]

We were booked at BRV last June w military discount and changed to AKL-Jambo so I know it has been in the past. We have also used it at SSR. We will try and see and if not go with plan B. I really don’t care as long as we are there lol

Actually last year we changed resorts 5 times before settling at AKL lol I had a bit of an issue deciding! Now I am really glad we splurged for AKL because we did get the full 40% off. That may never happen again.

 

[msk]

We let our TA book our room at WL with my DH's military discount long before the new rates came out. Once they did she got us club level with an awesome discount. It was a wonderful vacation. Hope your you a fabulous time!

 

[Momtwofour]

We let our TA book our room at WL with my DH's military discount long before the new rates came out. Once they did she got us club level with an awesome discount. It was a wonderful vacation. Hope your you a fabulous time!

Thank you! I have never used a TA. I am an uber planner and I’m not sure I could let someone else plan my vacation.lol Last year I did book rooms and then changed to military discount but there is no guarantee Disney will honor it.
I am going to book at SOG when that is available and then in the fall if Disney renews the discount I will see what I can get. The more I read about SOG the more I want to give it a try. Cost wise it is a lot cheaper even w the military room discount at Disney.