We have stayed at SOG, POR, CR, and YC over the last few years. I LOVE SOG. With 2 little ones, all of that extra space is great and we found after our POR stay that we aren't big fans of moderate resorts. We always book when they are offering a discount too, which makes it an incredible deal. (We are a Tier 2 rate for about a year more.) They offer some amazing deals in the fall and winter. Two years ago they had a brief promotion offering 50% off in January. (Generally, 30% is the discount during slow seasons.)
I also love the feel of the resort. It isn't overly "Disney" but it is clean and beautiful and quieter than most other resorts we have been to. We always meet friendly people and, as a woman with small children, I have never been allowed to stand, even on a full bus. We often walk over to the Poly to take the monorail to MK and utilize Poly the buses and ferry from time to time. Some folks don't like the transportation at SOG because buses pick up and drop off only once per hour, but we find it easier to plan our exit from the park that way and find that the buses are generally prompt.
We always buy our tickets ahead of time, whether staying at SOG or elsewhere because the lines can be hit or miss to purchase at the resort. You do get to take advantage of EMH, they were able to keep that perk by adding a parking fee of $5 per day. You cannot use the Magical Express, but we've always had a good experience with the shuttle or car service. It just adds about $100 to your trip, unfortunately.
We don't miss the ability to purchase the Disney dining plan because we always eat less than that. We also get lots of staples at the shopette and bring food to supplement our Disney diet so that we don't get sick from all of that eating out. One warning, the food at SOG is pretty bad. The buffets aren't horrible, I'd say on par with other Disney buffets, but the sit down restaurant is terrible. We like to hike over to the Poly late at night for lava cake and sushi take-out if we have to eat a meal at SOG
The meal plan is not a better deal than the room discount. You can now get the room discount and buy military tickets and purchase the meal plan, as well. The meal plan simply isn't a value for my family.
Even though it is sometimes a savings, I would never stay at a value or moderate over Shades. The rooms are just so large and comfortable. But, I will admit that I loved the location of YC so much that, if the room discounts continue into 2014, we might save and stay there again.
One more thing, SOG is updating their pools in the coming months, which I think will make them an even better deal. I believe they are adding a waterslide and a splash area for kids.
Lots of great folks over on the SOG resort thread will answer more questions. They are a great and helpful group.
I also love the feel of the resort. It isn't overly "Disney" but it is clean and beautiful and quieter than most other resorts we have been to. We always meet friendly people and, as a woman with small children, I have never been allowed to stand, even on a full bus. We often walk over to the Poly to take the monorail to MK and utilize Poly the buses and ferry from time to time. Some folks don't like the transportation at SOG because buses pick up and drop off only once per hour, but we find it easier to plan our exit from the park that way and find that the buses are generally prompt.
We always buy our tickets ahead of time, whether staying at SOG or elsewhere because the lines can be hit or miss to purchase at the resort. You do get to take advantage of EMH, they were able to keep that perk by adding a parking fee of $5 per day. You cannot use the Magical Express, but we've always had a good experience with the shuttle or car service. It just adds about $100 to your trip, unfortunately.
We don't miss the ability to purchase the Disney dining plan because we always eat less than that. We also get lots of staples at the shopette and bring food to supplement our Disney diet so that we don't get sick from all of that eating out. One warning, the food at SOG is pretty bad. The buffets aren't horrible, I'd say on par with other Disney buffets, but the sit down restaurant is terrible. We like to hike over to the Poly late at night for lava cake and sushi take-out if we have to eat a meal at SOG
The meal plan is not a better deal than the room discount. You can now get the room discount and buy military tickets and purchase the meal plan, as well. The meal plan simply isn't a value for my family.Even though it is sometimes a savings, I would never stay at a value or moderate over Shades. The rooms are just so large and comfortable. But, I will admit that I loved the location of YC so much that, if the room discounts continue into 2014, we might save and stay there again.
One more thing, SOG is updating their pools in the coming months, which I think will make them an even better deal. I believe they are adding a waterslide and a splash area for kids.
Lots of great folks over on the SOG resort thread will answer more questions. They are a great and helpful group.
For us a value or mod room was cheaper with the discount than the SOG rate. If you prefer deluxe type rooms, SOG will be far less than the disney hotels.
